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HeatherWithrow
12/31/2015 5:05 PM
For the last day of this memorable month of December guest moderating in the Communication Matrix Community, I want to share a gem of a moment with Orion I was able to get on video where I "tempted" and invited Orion to read sign language tactually.
First, the communication and use of senses back story on Orion:
He was born practically totally blind on July 19, 2010. I say this because technically he has light perception in his right eye in two kitty-corner quadrants but he does not use this. He's functionally totally blind, yes. He's also profoundly deaf and has bilateral cochlear implants. He hates the right side for some unknown, yet to be found, reason. He will tolerate the left side processor as long as there's fun music going on, anything danceable such as Michael Jackson. We started touch cues (what we called "signing on the body" back then) within hours of his birth with "MILK" (squeezing his little forearm with our hands because one day we will squeeze our hands sans-forearm and he could feel it with his own hands). Soon after came object cues, the most concrete way of communication we've used with Orion. When we moved to Austin (Orion was 2 years old), we started introducing a precious few tactile symbols in school. Now there is a whole board of different symbols for people, places, things and activities on a wall in his classroom that he uses receptively. At this point, Orion is feeling signs so much more now, he doesn't say much but one day he will. I know he is busy figuring things out, making connections from the past to the present, making sense of the activities... he's "feeling" (listening). He's a boy of a few words for his reasons, and well, he wasn't the only one. We do have an older Deaf son who we'd say was a boy of few words, too, and it's totally the opposite now.
As for the video, please pardon this family style video's background noise that includes Monster High blaring from the TV, my daughter and her friend talking very loud. And the kittens they're talking about are real, not imaginary.
At the video's original location (via link) there is a text transcript below of what I signed. I plan to add descriptions of actions soon.
Without further yabberage, I share with you the neat video!
P.S. Happy New Year!
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Here is an audio described version of this video
http://youdescribe.org/player.php?v=UjSdE4rybZE&pr...
Thank you so much Heather for your beautiful insights and sharing your experiences and knowledge!
Amanda Allen - 1/6/2016
1 likes1 replies
This is the perfect example of making learning both natural and fun! I love his smile when he steals the apple from you. We forget to play in our interactions. Also the idea that mom eats too and is sharing this experience with him! We are together, eating together and talking together. Thanks for sharing your wonderful awesome video!
Amy Parker - 1/4/2016
1 likes1 replies
I love this for so many reasons Heather! The pacing of the interaction, the trust he clearly has in you, reaching toward you for information from your hands, his easy scanning of the area with his hands, the consistent hand-under hand for input, the use of simple sign phrases to caption his actions, the use of commenting rather than questioning, the extension of the conversation after he shifts position to your lap. Your videos are so important for families and professionals who are trying to understand how to engage with their deafblind children!
Linda Hagood - 1/3/2016
Thanks, Linda! I have the warm fuzzies. Yes, please do share forth. I'll never forget the feeling of enlightenment and empowerment as a parent taking my first DB-related workshop... my hope is that each parent and professional has the same feeling of hope, too.
HeatherWithrow - 1/3/2016
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