Choices in Deafness: A Parents Guide is a clear, thorough, and reassuring book that will help parents make the best choice for their children. Each chapter is written by a well-known professional in his/her field and complemented by the personal accounts of parents who speak frankly about their concerns , challenges, and commitment to their children.
Choices in Deafness includes:This excellent book provides information for parents of children with hearing impairments. It describes in understandable language three different educational methods for teaching children with hearing impairments. These methods are oral/aural programming, total communication, and cued speech. It is important that you as a parent have this information so that you can choose the method that you feel best meets the needs of your child and your family. In addition to a chapter on each method, this book also includes information on medical approaches, an audiological overview, trends in education, a suggested reading list, and a directory of state and national organizations serving the hearing impaired.
Our favorite chapter is chapter 1, "A Medical Approach to Hearing Loss" . This chapter gives basic information on the types and causes of hearing loss. It emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.
"In addition to providing easily understood explanations of medical and audiological factors, Choices presents a balanced view of educational options. This book will indeed be most helpful to parents faced with the difficult process of evaluating and selecting the educational approach most suited to their child's unique and individual needs."- Donna McCord Dickman, Ph.D., Executive Director, Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, Inc.
"A terrific wealth of information for parents. Choices in Deafness has covered it all."- Alice Kennedy, Executive Director, American Society for Deaf Children
"This book serves well the much needed purpose of informing parents of young hearing-impaired children. It conveys a realistic and positive picture of the challenges and rewards of raising hearing-impaired children.
"After 20 years of direct involvement- personal and professional experience, as well as study- I still learned from this book."- Mary Elsie Sbaiti, President, National Cued Speech Association
Sue Schwartz received her Master's degree in Speech and Hearing from Central Institute for the deaf in St. Louis, MIssouri and her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Family Counseling from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Schwartz developed the Parent Infant Auditory Program in the Montgomery County Public Schools. In this capacity she has worked with parents and recognized the need for parents to have a clear understanding of the various communication system that exist for teaching language to hearing-impaired children.
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