A First Language: Whose Choice Is It?

Shawn Mahshie

This paper looks at some of the challenging issues that affect decisions about providing early, accessible language input for a deaf or hard of hearing child. Partially excerpted from Educating Deaf Children Bilingually (Mahshie, 1995), the paper describes a "win-win" situation in the use of both spoken and natural signed language for deaf and hard of hearing children. The author also shares examples and insights from highly successful bilingual education environments in Sweden and Denmark. These programs promote parent-infant support, early educational placements, and exposure of deaf children with hearing or deaf parents to natural, interactive language.

The first printed copy is available for $3.00 to cover the cost of shipping and handling. Additional printed copies are $5.00 each, plus shipping and handling.

Audiologists/Parents/Teachers

30 pages;

No. SI02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.00 (The first printed copy)

No. SI02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.00 (Additional printed copies)