Considers the signed speech of nonverbal children and the unsigned speech that evolves. Discusses possible explanations for signed speech as a development of linguistic functions. Makes suggestions for research on the relationship between language acquisition by nonverbal children and by normal infants. (PMJ)

A follow-up was done on a 1976 survey of communication trends in schools and programs for the hearing impaired in the U.S. Although a lower response rate made direct comparison of numbers impossible, the percentage of classes using the various communication modes was consistent with the earlier study. (Author/CL)

This study of seven educators of hearing-impaired students in early elementary programs found that teachers' signed Manually Coded English (MCE) messages represented their spoken utterances. MCE proficiency may be influenced by teacher attitude regarding the importance of signing complete messages and the degree to which supervisors monitor…

A review of 12 investigations concerning longterm academic effects of early intervention for preschool hearing-impaired children suggests that children with severe/profound hearing losses before age two who receive total communication in a cognitive-oriented parent-infant language program will be more successful academically than similar children…

Eleven elementary-school hearing-impaired students were shown pictures and asked to make up a story; and were presented stories in speech and signs, with and without pictures, and asked to retell the stories. Results indicated that the students made use of story grammars in organizing retellings and in constructing stories; pictures enhanced…

This study examined the correspondence between spoken English and Australasian Signed English when used simultaneously by four teachers of deaf Australian students. The teachers were more than 90 percent accurate in reproducing on their hands what they were saying but at some cost to the oral aspects of the simultaneous communication. (Author/JDD)

This reprint of a 1970 article examines some emergent concepts of psycholinguistics and relates them to the development of a language-training program for children with deafness. It discusses the stages and process of language development, and the advantages and disadvantages of the total-communication approach, oral communication, and the…

Describes the controversy in hearing-impaired education between advocates of unisensory and multisensory approaches to communication for learning and socialization. Concludes that the multisensory approach is superior after reviewing arguments from developmental and perceptual theories, information processing, early intervention pedagogy, and…

Children with profound deafness are at risk for serious reading difficulties. Multiple factors affect their development of reading skills, including use of cochlear implants. Further, multiple factors influence the overall success that children experience with their cochlear implants. These factors include the age at which they receive an implant,…

Simultaneous communication used by four teachers in formal lessons was investigated, to determine the extent to which signs and speech matched and to delineate factors predicting communication behavior. Simultaneous communication was found to be sign-driven or speech-driven depending on factors such as student comprehension, teacher's expertise,…

Reports data and observations from videotapes showing interaction in everyday activities between deaf parents and both hearing and non-hearing infants. Discusses the several modes of communication used and the strategies employed to increase two-way communication. (PMJ)

A 4-year study of 131 preschool children with severe/profound hearing losses found that children tended to be placed first in auditory/oral programs and later moved to total communication programs. Evaluated are the performance of children in both types of programs on measures of spoken language, receptive language, and mother-child communication.…

This paper discusses the role of American Sign Language (ASL) in educating deaf children, based on the history of using manually coded English (MCE). The paper concludes that use of ASL should not be the ultimate goal of bilingual bicultural programs, and, in some classrooms, the optimal program will be complementary use of ASL and MCE. (JDD)

Sixty preschool children (30 deaf and hard of hearing, 30 hearing) were observed in their integrated school during learning center activities and outdoor play. Half experienced auditory communication and half total communication modes. Although all children preferred to play and communicate with same-hearing status children, 63% did communicate…

Study of the relationship between differences in deaf haptic behavior and level of individual's language skill. Two types of haptic behavior were distinguished: self-directed and interpersonal. The communicative role of haptic behavior varies according to age and spoken language skills. (Author/LMO)