It s Only Natural: Nurturing Development of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Babies in the First 6 Months EHDI 2015 Louisville, KY Patricia E. Spencer Marilyn Sass-Lehrer Gallaudet University, Washington, DC
Overview of Presentation Why Focus on Birth to 6 Months? Sensory, Motor, Cognitive and Communication Development: the Amazing Brain Natural Supportive Caregiving Behaviors Adapting Behaviors for Ultimate Results: Deaf and Hearing Caregivers Suggestions for Professionals and Caregivers
Why Focus on Birth to 6 Months? Development is rapid during this time period Research underscores importance of first 6 months of life: Optimal Period of Learning Advances in early identification provide new insights into what deaf/hh babies can do Quality of early life experiences frequently predicts later achievements
Infants are Competent and Ready to Learn
The Amazing Infant Brain Learning Occurs Prior to Birth Hearing recognize mom s voice, songs Touch vestibular functioning Vision responds to bright lights Brain Mechanisms and Organizations Developing Neural connections proliferate Pathways strengthen if used or pruned if not Brain circuits become more efficient Babies Brains Need Caring, Interactive Relationships with Adults
Developing Senses Loud to Soft Low to Higher Pitch Range Hear Differences Between Speech Sounds Hearing Sensitivity Vision Prefers Faces Fuzzy to Clear Near to Far Tracking and Color Resolution Improve 3-D Vision Sensitive to Location of touch Firm to Light Taps, Touch to Direct Attention Response to movement Touch/Kinesthetic
Infants are Multimodal Processors Sensory, Motor and Cognitive-Social Development is Intermodal and Interdependent Development From Reflexive to Controlled Behaviors Reflexive grasp becomes intentional reach Tracking visually, turning to sound intentional Adult touch develops from turn to the touch to focus of attention Visually directed reaching develops Motor development allows better head and limb control Caveat 1: True for most infants. Developmental differences impact steps and stages
Developmental Differences Infants Vary in their Developmental and Physical Abilities, Temperament, Social Adjustment, etc. Watch for Possible Cognitive, Motor, Sensory Delays Hearing May Be Overlooked by More Visible Delays Catching Up is Challenging Caregivers Differ in Style of Interactions Natural Caregiving Behaviors Support Development
Implications for Caregivers
Natural Parenting/Caregiving Behaviors Adults tune in to infants behaviors Multi-modal communications are natural As Infants Mature, Adults Adapt their Behaviors Nurturing and Supportive Behaviors Enhance: trust, safety, acceptance, attachment, predictability, exploration, creativity, self-esteem, problem solving, communication & language development What might interfere with natural parenting behaviors?
Caregiver Challenges Emotional Stresses Other Life Stresses Unrealistic Expectations Unexpected Responses from Child
Natural Caregiving and Unexpected Responses When Sight is Limited Infants may not respond to caregivers facial expressions, appearance, or objects out of range of vision When Infants are Overly Sensitive to Touch Infants may not respond to caregivers touch, holding or swaddling When Hearing is Limited Infants may not respond to caregivers vocalizations (changes in inflections, alerting, attention)
Influence of Hearing on Infant Development Hearing Abilities Need Not Influence Early Bonding or Attachment Sensory Abilities Can Enhance the Above Hearing Tone and rhythm Vision - Positive Expressions, Surprise Looks, Imitations Touch/Kinesthetic Touching, Stroking, Holding, Warmth
Natural Caregiving Interactions Deaf and hard of hearing babies learn language best in natural situations Deaf and hearing parents have intuitive behaviors that match the needs of their babies Deaf parents use some communication behaviors more than hearing parents http://www.gallaudet.edu/clerc_center/information_and _resources/info_to_go/help_for_babies_%280_to_3%2 9/language_development_for_babies/visual_conversatio ns.html Patricia E. Spencer 2001
Deaf and Hearing Parents An Intimate Conversation between mother and daughter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fetk7zxmvi An Intimate Conversation between mother and daughter https://docs.google.com/file/d/0 B8KPG4eK8t1LX0hBRzFkbkJE ZWM/edit What do you see? What do you see?
Natural Caregiving Behaviors Adapted Hearing Parents Higher pitch; exaggerated intonation Baby Talk Talk about here & now Repetition Prolonged gaze Deaf Parents Facial expressions; exaggerated signs Baby Talk Talk about here & now Repetition Eye Contact Hatfield in Infant Hearing Resource, (1993)
Hearing Parents Numerous Questions Pauses Non-Verbal Communication Short Simple Sentences Imitations, expansions, prods Modify Language Input Deaf Parents Use of POINT Pauses Non-Verbal Communication One Sign at a Time Imitation, expansions, prods Modify Language Input Hatfield in Infant Hearing Resource, (1993)
Natural Caregiving Behaviors Deaf Parents Varied Touch Sign on Body Tapping Stroking Bouncing Move Baby s Arms or Hands Move Baby to Orient toward Object or Event
Developmental Reminders 1. Infants are Multimodal Processors 2. Caregivers are Multimodal Communicators 3. Each Infant is Unique 4. Infants are More Alike than Different 5. Development in One Area Supports Development in Other Areas 6. Chronic Stress Can Have Long Term Negative Impact on Early Development
Suggestions for Professionals and Hearing Caregivers Recognize natural caregiving behaviors that support their infant s development Recognize strides infants are making in development as a result of these supportive behaviors (note high and realistic expectations) Build on these natural interactions and tweak them to maximize access through multiple modalities (vision, hearing, touch, movement) Coach, Model, Guide, Reinforce, Praise Collaborate with Specialists Competence and confidence will result in both quantity and quality of positive interactions
It s Only Natural
References Sass-Lehrer, M. (Ed.).(In Preparation). Early intervention for deaf and hard-of-hearing infant, toddlers and their families: Interdisciplinary perspectives. New York: Oxford University Press. Spencer, P.E. & Koester, L.S. (In Preparation). Nurturing communication and language: Development of deaf and hard-ofhearing infants and toddlers. New York: Oxford University Press. Eliot, L. (1999). What s going on in there? How the brain and mind develop in the first five years of life. NY: Bantam Books. Fogel, A. (2009). Infancy: Infant, family, and society (5 th edition). Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY: Sloan Publishing. A. Slater and M. Lewis, (Eds.) (2007). Introduction to infant development (pp. 216-232). NY: Oxford