Sensory Impairments in Mentally Handicapped People (review)

REVIEWS Gallaudet Encyclopedia of Deaf People and Deafness, John Van Cleve, editor, 1400 pp., 3 vols., $300, hardcover, McGraw-Hill Company Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10020, 1987. The Gallaudet Encyclopedia of Deaf People and Deafness is three volumes in length and includes useful information related to deafness from A to Z. Four hundred specialists from various fields of expertise have contributed to the 271 informative entries. This encyclopedia is appealing and interesting for hearing impaired individuals, hearing persons, professionals and laypersons alike. Each topic is written concisely and is easily understood. Indexing and cross referencing facilitate use of the encyclopedia. In addition, a bibliography at the end of each section aids the reader in further research and study. Areas of special interest within these volumes include topics such as deaf history, the deaf community in various countries , legal rights, recent developments in rehabilitation legislation , sociological and psychological issues, methods of communication and sign language throughout the world, and programs and trends in education. Scattered throughout are entries on noteworthy pioneers and those who have contributed and shaped the deaf world through the years. This work is highly recommended for anyone interested in deafness. Janie Watts Assistant to the Director Center on Deafness Western Maryland College Westminster, MD 21157 Sound Waves: the True Story of a Deaf Child Who Learned to Hear Using a Revolutionary Teaching Method, David Colley, 240 pp., $14.95 hardcover, St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010,1985. This book is a novel, not an academic text. It portends to be based on fact and depicts the auditory/oral education of a profoundly hearing impaired girl and the sacrifices and determination of her mother. If the book has any value, it is as a classic example of parental denial of hearing loss. The book has more than enough misconceptions to make professionals hope that it is not read by parents of the hearing impaired. The author would have parents believe that: 1) even the profoundly deaf can be taught to hear; 2) total communication programs ignore both speech and auditory training; 3) language is not taught in total communication schools; 4) speech and language are equivalent; 5) the use of sign language invariably leads to incomprehensible speech; 6) binaural amplification is always superior to monaural; 7) the counsel of the audiological profession is usually best ignored; 8) deaf children will be "normal" if they learn to hear; 9) teachers in residential schools become surrogate parents and abrogate the roles of the real mothers and fathers; 10) speech and auditory training can only be successful in mainstream settings; 11) the use of sign language consigns one to the deaf subculture; and 12) deaf culture is something terrible which must be avoided at all costs. Any one such misstatement would be sufficient to disqualify this book. Robert D. Moulton, Ph.D. Director of Speech and Hearing Programs LaMar University Beaumont, TX 77710 Belonging, Virginia M. Scott, 200 pp., $9.95 hardback, Gallaudet University Press, 800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, D.C. 20002,1986. Virginia Scott's book offers easy and enjoyable reading, yet at the same time deals realistically with the problems of adjusting to deafness. Her description of "Gustie's" feelings and the situations she encounters are very true to life. The deaf or hard-of-hearing reader will be able to relate to something from each and every chapter. Any person going through a similar experience of hearing loss would benefit from reading this book. Mrs. Scott's book would also be of great assistance in helping families and friends gain a better understanding of what the hearing impaired person endures in trying to cope with the different situations of adjustment. Readers will be made aware of some of the problems faced by the hearing impaired and also some of the solutions to those problems. Janice Halsey, M.S.E. Public School Library/Media Specialist Greeenbrier, AR 72058 Sensory Impairments in Mentally Handicapped People, David Ellis, Ed., 438 pp. San Diego, CA 92105, College Hill Press, Inc., 1986. An excellent comprehensive overview which has a lot of data relative to deafness and retardation. With the increasing prevalence...