Guest guest Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 ----- Original Message ----- One odd thing I noticed-- both boys were in the pool while they were on vacation and the older boy was signing into the hand of the younger boy--now the parents didn't seem to be around and why would he do that? I understand why the parents did, because that was how they communicated with him, since he is blind and they are deaf, but the two brothers usually communicated orally. ------------------- I don't know a lot about autism, but I do know that a local school for the deaf near us has started several programs which involve sign language for children with a range of disabilities that have normal hearing. Signing can help children who have difficulty communicating for a variety of reasons. I believe that many autistic children have major problems with change, and a family vacation is a big change. Perhaps the autistic boy needed to be calmed in the pool and taking in sign is a better way, involving a different part of the brain, or more normal for him since he is often signed to by Mom. This is just a guess - a shot in the dark. I too am very skeptical about all " reality " TV but I did like the show and thought it was basically well done. H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 ----- Original Message ----- One odd thing I noticed-- both boys were in the pool while they were on vacation and the older boy was signing into the hand of the younger boy--now the parents didn't seem to be around and why would he do that? I understand why the parents did, because that was how they communicated with him, since he is blind and they are deaf, but the two brothers usually communicated orally. ------------------- I don't know a lot about autism, but I do know that a local school for the deaf near us has started several programs which involve sign language for children with a range of disabilities that have normal hearing. Signing can help children who have difficulty communicating for a variety of reasons. I believe that many autistic children have major problems with change, and a family vacation is a big change. Perhaps the autistic boy needed to be calmed in the pool and taking in sign is a better way, involving a different part of the brain, or more normal for him since he is often signed to by Mom. This is just a guess - a shot in the dark. I too am very skeptical about all " reality " TV but I did like the show and thought it was basically well done. H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 ----- Original Message ----- One odd thing I noticed-- both boys were in the pool while they were on vacation and the older boy was signing into the hand of the younger boy--now the parents didn't seem to be around and why would he do that? I understand why the parents did, because that was how they communicated with him, since he is blind and they are deaf, but the two brothers usually communicated orally. ------------------- I don't know a lot about autism, but I do know that a local school for the deaf near us has started several programs which involve sign language for children with a range of disabilities that have normal hearing. Signing can help children who have difficulty communicating for a variety of reasons. I believe that many autistic children have major problems with change, and a family vacation is a big change. Perhaps the autistic boy needed to be calmed in the pool and taking in sign is a better way, involving a different part of the brain, or more normal for him since he is often signed to by Mom. This is just a guess - a shot in the dark. I too am very skeptical about all " reality " TV but I did like the show and thought it was basically well done. H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 >I don't know a lot about autism, but I do know that a local school for the >deaf near us has started several programs which involve sign language for >children with a range of disabilities that have normal hearing. Signing >can help children who have difficulty communicating for a variety of >reasons. I believe that many autistic children have major problems with >change, and a family vacation is a big change. Perhaps the autistic boy >needed to be calmed in the pool and taking in sign is a better way, >involving a different part of the brain, or more normal for him since he >is often signed to by Mom. This is just a guess - a shot in the dark. > >I too am very skeptical about all " reality " TV but I did like the show and >thought it was basically well done. > > H. I used to do a LOT of consulting with kids/adults with autism (have gone back to basic research), and while I know next to nothing about hearing loss, I do know that some of my autistic/blind kids preferred sign in the hand to verbal communication, and most of my autistic kids used some sign. Sign was often the preferred and comforting mode of communication, particularly when stressed out. My guess is that the little guy was pretty stressed out by the cameras, etc. Do think it was very informative, though. The segment with Ty and autism really helped demonstrate sensory overload, and I thought the information on various technology was helpful- explained what was out there to help people. I didn't feel " sorry " for the family- I felt rather small after watching their story. Made my problems seem microscopic in comparison- and to see them handle life with such laughter and a positive outlook was inspirational for me. at least. Made me thankful for all the things I have, and a little ashamed when I complain about the little things in life! Val FD Mom to , 16, hearing but prefers to do the talking, , 12, hearing and hormones, Mac, 8, hearing but all boy, and Lyssa, 7, mild/moderate bilateral hearing loss with BRAND NEW Phonak Aero aids last week! Valeri Farmer-Dougan, Ph.D Associate Professor, Psychology and Biological Sciences Department of Psychology 4620 Illinois State University Normal, Illinois 61790-4620 (309)438- 7420 http://lilt.ilstu.edu/vfdouga ******************************************************* Perhaps a " Human " Teaching Philosophy: " Horse and trainer establish a bond of communication and trust. You must somehow understand that we as horsemen can do very little to teach the horse. What we can do is to create an environment in which he can learn. " -Monty , the " real " horse whisperer ******************************************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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