Findings are presented from communication intervention research in three areas related to deafness with disability (DWD): D/deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) with (a) intellectual disability, (b) autism spectrum disorders, (c) deafblindness. Early identification, prevalence, theoretical perspectives, and evidence-based practices are discussed.…

In this, the first article in the "American Annals of the Deaf" special issue on English reading development for individuals who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing, the coeditors aim to promote interdisciplinary dialogue among researchers regarding literacy research with d/Deaf and hard of hearing (d/Dhh) students by setting the tone for an…

It is well documented that undetected hearing loss can have a profound effect on a child's holistic development, including communicative, language and cognitive development. It is crucial therefore that deaf and hard of hearing infants are detected as early as possible so that appropriate intervention services and support can be initiated. To…

The article reports the development of the Structural Analysis of Written Language (SAWL), an instrument designed for use by classroom teachers in objectively documenting the ability of children to write in English. The SAWL allows teachers to use T-unit analysis to quantitatively assess language improvement regardless of whether the student…

The article describes a reading program appropriate for the average deaf children without age-level language abilities. A top-down element features telling stories, reading aloud, creating narratives from the child's experiences, routines with picture books, functional literacy, and environmental print. A bottom-up component stresses letter…

The article suggests that English literacy can be acquired by deaf children through developmental reading and writing activities that refelct principles of first language acquisition as students relate these activities to experiences which they have already linguistically represented. (Author/CB)

The software programs "Toddlers' Tutor" and "Story Machine" have been used along with fingerspelling and sign language interpretation with deaf and mentally retarded students. Improvements have been noted in the reception/expression of basic and expanded forms of signed and written language. (Author/CL)

The computer assisted evaluation approach used at the California School for the Deaf-Fremont focuses on reading and language skill development. An inventory of computer lessons has been developed to match appropriate activities to student needs. Examples of lessons geared for different language ability levels are provided. (CL)

A school-wide communication policy addressing speech, speechreading, audition, and sign language with the ultimate goal of increased language acquisition in deaf and blind students was developed by a task force and its implementation timeline projected over five years. (CL)

The literature program promotes students' language development, positive self-concept, and mental health skills through fluent communication with a deaf student adviser leading weekly discussion/storytelling for students from kindergarten through high school. Teachers report, among other positive effects, that the deaf educator is an excellent…

A case study of a prelingually hearing impaired boy with bilateral severe to profound sensory neural hearing loss is presented. Separate analyses of spoken and signed language were made indicating that signs had become vehicles for attaching meaning to sounds. (Author/CL)

The results of the specific research which led up to the program of instruction are presented in detail in the research program; deaf children as young as 10 years of age were shown to be capable of understanding metaphorical language with regularity. (Author)

The special issue with 21 articles reports a study by the Central Institute of the Deaf (Missouri) to design a small, "ideal" program for elementary age deaf children, given the condition that cost, staff, materials, and space were no problems. (SB)

Originally part of a symposium on educational media for the deaf, the paper discusses the use of animated sequences which illustrate linguistic principles. The work of the Computer Graphics Research Group at Ohio State University is highlighted. It has been discovered that computer-assisted instructional systems enhance learning through greater…

The case of a deaf preschool child whose parents and teacher cooperated in a Total Communication and Signed English approach is cited. A record of the child's utterances is presented to illustrate growth in language to a level near that of a hearing child. (CL)