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COMMUNICATION/LANGUAGE OPTIONS
"Making decision for your child is a difficult task. When you add that your child is now deaf or hard of hearing, that task becomes more difficult. IL Hands & Voices believes that parents have the right to decide how they communicate with their child, which language and which methods they include. This page will give you information on many different options, we do not believe one is better than the other, it will be up to your family to determine the communication choice that is right for you. Do your research and find out which works for you, that will make the choice right! But remember this, you can change, if you make a decision today that isn't working next week or next year, then change - your child will benefit from it."
American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language. With signing, the brain processes linguistic information through the eyes. The shape, placement, and movement of the hands, as well as facial expressions and body movements, all play important parts in conveying information. Use (click on) the links below to explore and learn sign language:
The Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) approach is a communication option for infants, toddlers, and young children with hearing loss and their families. This approach has evolved over many years and is preferred by parents who want their child to listen and talk in the primary language of the home.
Total Communication (TC) is an approach to Deaf education that aims to make use of a number of modes of communication such as signed, oral, auditory, written and visual aids, depending on the particular needs and abilities of the child.
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