<p>I was wondering where to start with a request for an unusual child and where he might fit in as time goes on....Son is a bright individual who has some issues...first he is hearing impaired and has been since he was 5 which has impacted him in many ways -but mostly socially as H/I children do not "get" the sublties of what goes on around them much; consequently, he has missed out on alot and has few friends to count on. On a similar note, many do not consider the H/I physically disabled especially if their speech patterns are "normal" (his genetic sensorineural hearing loss kicked in after he was verbal- thank heaven for little favors); this concerns me with the intraciacies of testing- the nuances of language on standardized testing are the cues that he lacks and misses oftentimes. His standardized test score for the prePSAT(10th grade) was abysmal. Additionally, a generally combative and put it off attitude that has been a mainstay through the middle years (if I act oppositional I'll give you a real reason not to like me...and you won't reject me for me)which leads to fighting and suspensions(kids can be cruel and son does not tolerate teasing at all)juxtaposed with the "your son took on X bully in the lunchroom today when no one else would".....He has come around (some)with the help of a therapist for H/I kids as well as patience on the part of M/D and general maturation.
Son is still confused and trying to figure things out but has finally gotten the idea that school and education are important. He is a doer but not mechanically inclined he is creative in art but not music- he enjoys reading and learning but will NOT study subjects he does not like (Genetics yes- geometry never!)- does anyone here know the type? His grades have finally come up last quarter to the 93 level (hooray) witrh a decidedly average curriculum- he is at a school of intense overachievers but does not see himself as smart and does not take the hardest classes... so in part, I was wondering from some of the parents here what resources should I looking into to get this boy through the next 2 years so that his future path is one that will allow him to thrive. I was thinking along the lines of what colleges may cater to a kid like him/enviornment etc.
PS (has a 504 not an IEP; is seperated out for instructions on standard tests that are read to him; )</p>
<p>There are parents here with kids on IEPs and probably on 504’s, hopefully one will come along to help. I know there are colleges that do well with kids with LDs.</p>
<p>Just wanted to share something I had read recently. You said your son is in a school of overachievers and does not see himself as smart. I have learned (based on research studies) that we shouldn’t tell our kids they are smart - we should comment on how hard they work. Instead of congratulating them for getting an A or B, congratulate them for working hard and learning. Kids who are told they are smart are often afraid to really challenge themselves, because: a) it might turn out they’re not really smart after all, and b) if they’re so smart everything should be “easy.” But kids who are rewarded and reinforced for their hard work are likely to take on bigger challenges and academic risks. It’s important to tell kids that they can train their brain to be “stronger/smarter,” just like they can train any other muscle in their body.</p>
<p>Good luck to you and to your son!</p>
<p>Check out the book Colleges That Change Lives. It’s helped many a square peg. Also, give us some more info: you don’t say what the regional/size preferences are, or whether financial aid will be required.</p>
<p>Thank you for the gracious responses katliamom/lafalum. I have checked out the book you recommneded and it is an eye opener. Have things changed in the last 15 years since its been published? Are there any threads here that discuss it(I’m sure there are) Thank you!</p>
<p>Welcome, Chris. I think people often underestimate the struggle faced by hearing impaired kids. First of all, they have no visible handicap, so people expect them not to have issues. Second of all, people don’t realize how much of the world is shut off from you if you don’t hear what’s going on.</p>
<p>Although it may have caused him (and you) problems, I congratulate you on having a kid who didn’t give up on life but decided to fight back.</p>
<p>The research cited by Lafalum caused me to do an about-face in my interactions with my son. I realized that I needed to reinforce him for his determination and effort, instead of his natural gifts. I think it made a difference in how he approaches challenges.</p>
<p>I can’t offer much information to you except good wishes. I would recommend that you make sure his teachers understand in a concrete way what his needs are, including the best ways to work around his hearing problems. Can you use parent-teacher meetings to give them some hints and tips, or even ask if you could do a 15 minute presentation to his teachers? Maybe you already do this.</p>
<p>Hi Chris, sorry but I don’t have time to read through the responses right now. Just to answer your questions though, I would contact Gallaudet and McDaniel Colleges. I don’t know anything about Gallaudet but I believe that both schools have specific programs for hearing impaired/teaching hearing impaired. I would contact their offices for those with a disability and ask specific questions. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>[Colleges</a> with Accommodations and Services for the Hearing-Impaired Student | InsideCollege.com](<a href=“The Best College Rankings and Lists | Inside College | CollegeXpress”>The Best College Rankings and Lists | Inside College | CollegeXpress)</p>
<p>This link might be helpful to you.</p>
<p>^^That is a very helpful link.</p>
<p>One of the schools in CTCL is Earlham. It has a Quaker tradition that results in a very compassionate environment. We sent a niece there starting last fall who really needed a nurturing environment. She seems to be thriving (i.e., does not really want to come home for the summer.) I would make some targeted inquiries re HI accommodation there.</p>
<p>I also see that Kalamazoo is on the list of schools on the link from slumom; it is another CTCL school and I have a son there. If I can be a resource, please pm me.</p>
<p>I feel for you as a parent. I am HOH myself and went though many of the same social and academic struggles. My hearing loss came when I was a senior in HS though. </p>
<p>The big thing is that he is starting to “get it” that his studies are important. I figured that out too and remember many votes of confidence along the way from teachers that I had no idea even cared. One teacher told my Mom. “He will sink or he will swim” another teacher added “Oh I think he swims”. It still makes me shiver to think of that moment 25 years ago.</p>
<p>I went to a large state university that had an really good “office of disability concerns”. Not sure what it is called at other schools. They helped coordinate different resources for me. Notetakers, sign language interpreters. I eventually settled into an Art major concentrating in graphic design<<<<DING DING DING</p>
<p>It is tough to watch your kids struggle. But I am a firm beleiver in “what does not kill you makes you stronger”. I got by with help and support.</p>
<p>PM me if you want.</p>
<p>Dear Chris42,</p>
<p>Check out the programs at NTID/RIT - they may provide your son with some directions for possible careers:</p>
<p>[RIT</a> - NTID - Competitions and Summer Camps](<a href=“http://www.ntid.rit.edu/outreach]RIT”>Programs and Competitions | National Technical Institute for the Deaf | RIT)</p>
<p>Gallaudet is more of a liberal arts college - NTID and RIT offers much more for science-inclined kids who have hearing loss.</p>
<p>Also, please take a look at PEPNET’s college guide - </p>
<p>[PEPNet</a> College Guide](<a href=“http://projects.pepnet.org/collegeguide/]PEPNet”>http://projects.pepnet.org/collegeguide/)</p>
<p>The information from this guide is much more extensive than the link in post #7 and they go into details on the type of access provided for each institution listed in the database. </p>
<p>In many ways, I’m very much like your son - I was diagnosed with a hearing loss when I was 9, and had only lived in the States for only two years. I had no role models when I was growing up, and had problems fitting socially while being mainstreamed at a public school from grades 3-12. What you wrote </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>is very true. </p>
<p>If your son is more inclined toward science and health careers, have him look at AMPHL - the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss. This is a network of hearing-impaired students who are hoping to attend graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, audiology and so forth.</p>
<p>[AMPHL</a> - Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses](<a href=“http://www.amphl.org%5DAMPHL”>http://www.amphl.org)</p>
<p>It is imperative for your son to have the opportunity to meet other successful hearing-impaired people in professions that interest him - they will serve as good role models and provide him with some direction. I think the folks at AMPHL might be a good start. </p>
<p>If you have additional questions, please feel free to send me a PM.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>The resources and sentiments expressed are truly helpful and inspiring. Thanks to all for their insight and information. Just starting on this journey that I (we) hope will turn out just fine.</p>
<p>What’s amazing(in the most unfortunate way) is that deaf, HOH, and Hearing impaired individuals are truly overlooked when it comes to insurance coverage issues. I was flabbergasted when my (and seemingly every other insurance carrier in this country) advised me that the digital hearing aids for my son were an “out of pocket” loss NOT covered by ANY insurance. After joining the Alexander Graham Bell Foundation and dealing with scores of other parents I learned the hard way that despite it being a huge part of who we are(try putting ear plugs in and even walk around for an hour–or try cotton balls to see how much you truly miss) that hearing loss is an expense borne by the family. The cost(4000-7000 every 3-4 years) is just an extra burden to be carried on top of the sentiments listed above. Meanwhile I’m sure facelifts and tummy tucks are just around the corner on the coverage merry-go-round.(sorry just venting)</p>
<p>I’m glad someone mentioned RIT. While it is a techy school, it also has some very good visual arts programs. Look at their College of Imaging.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.rit.edu/programs/program_listing.php?display=college[/url]”>http://www.rit.edu/programs/program_listing.php?display=college</a></p>
<p>Does your son sign? It sounds like he is mainstreamed, correct? Any deaf friends? A deaf culture is its own world as you probably know. A conversation between two people in ASL can be extremely hard to understand if someone has not been raised in a deaf household. </p>
<p>Tell me about hearing aid costs. They are not even made that well IMO. #$@&#*</p>
<p>Chris, you are wise to be thinking about this now. My son has other issues but my undergrad was in deaf ed. </p>
<p>Two important things to bear in mind as you start this journey:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Don’t engage in magical thinking. If your gut tells you there will likely be problems, your gut is probably right.</p></li>
<li><p>It is highly likely that the folks at school who are advising you and your son have NO experience with how kids like your son do in college. The “crash and burn” rate of college students with issues like my son’s is virtually 100% and everyone in the high school setting - even the “transition” director - is just shocked to hear it.</p></li>
</ol>