Re: Digest Number 2896

[Guest guest]

,

I too remember so well the first time I came across that statistic and

then heard it repeated over and over again as if there was nothing that could be

done about it. Darby was two and had just been diagnosed. I'm an avid reader

and can't imagine being limited by such low literacy levels. I'm sure I

overreacted but my response after doing lots of research was to get rid of my

TV. I

had started reading to her daily as an infant prior to knowing about her

hearing loss but I made an effort to read to her even more, we spent lots of

time

at the library and I searched out books that I thought would appeal to her.

She's 15 now and reads on grade level but more importantly to me she loves to

read. I think there are many things that contribute to that statistic including

the dismal literacy levels in general in this country. A recent study found

that only 33% of all college graduates in this country are proficient readers, I

can only imagine what the average reading level of a high school graduate is.

Compared to all her cousins she and only one other read for pleasure on a

regular basis (and that one is a freshman at Dartmouth). So while I think it is

important to be aware of the effect that hearing loss can have on literacy I

certainly don't see it as an obstacle that can't be overcome.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

On 2/16/06 7:17 AM, " Listen-Up " <Listen-Up >

wrote:

> Any parents have any real info on the literacy levels of D / HOH kids? What

> I've read so far, has been very disconcerting. Even the parent advisor with

> our EI team didn't have much info, other than regardless of the communication

> method, for the most part, the literacy levels are lousy. She gave us

> information about functional vs entertainment literacy. According to research

> done at Galludet their incoming freshman aged 17-18 yrs on average, had a

> literacy level at approx 4-5th grade.

>

> I can't even really say why this is bothering me so much, but I feel really

> disturbed. I think a part of is, that this would be completely unacceptable

> for my hearing son, but with my HOH daughter, its considered normal? I can't

> seem to wrap my head around it.

I know I was very concerned when I read this when my son was first

identified. Education has always been a priority for our family and this

was just unacceptable. I believe that the 4th-5th grade reading level is

probably still accurate, but by NO means is it something you have to accept.

Given a child with appropriate language skills, there is no reason the

reading level shouldn't be the same as a hearing child (and there is a

range, they aren't all the same.) My son started reading (on his own!)

before age 3 and was reading at 4th to 5th grade level by 1st grade. He was

developmentally advanced and kids that start reading later than that

eventually reach the same level--so in the big picture, it really doesn't

matter WHEN they start to read and long as they understand what they're

reading and continue to make progress.

Joan