Dear Abby letter

[Guest guest]

Hey -- this might make for an interesting discussion! I was looking

at Dear Abby through my Yahoo home page, and there is a letter from

a nanny of 6-month-old twins. The nanny is convinced that one of

the twins has a hearing loss and doesn't know how and if to tell the

mother. I think Abby's advice is good, but she doesn't really

consider the mother's potential reaction and perhaps assumes too

much of the pediatrician's ability to diagnose. What do you think?

Here is the letter and advice:

DEAR ABBY: I am a nanny for twins who are now about 6 months old. I

have a degree in education and specialize in preschool. Based on my

experience with developmental milestones, it is quite obvious that

one of the twins is hearing-impaired. I was hoping the pediatrician

would notice it at their last physical, but that didn't happen. I

don't know if it is my place to tell the mother, because I certainly

wouldn't want to learn that my child cannot hear from the nanny.

Should I let this go, or should I tell? -- NANNIFIED IN OHIO

DEAR NANNIFIED: You should certainly tell the mother that you are

concerned about the child, and why. Suggest that during the baby's

next visit to the pediatrician she mention your observation to the

doctor. You are a professional, and as such, your expertise should

be shared with your employer. It's the responsible thing to do.

Lydia

, almost 8, deaf with CI

Colin, almost 11, hearing