I Can Write (review)

Abstract

Reviews Communication for the Hearing Handicapped—An International Perspective, edited by Herbert J. Oyer, Ph.D., 537 pp., $19.50, University Park Press, International Publishers in Science and Medicine, Chamber of Commerce Building, 233 E. Redwood St., Baltimore , Md. 21202, 1976. This book attempts to present a comparative description of the aural rehabilitation programs for the hearing impaired in selected countries. However, the selection of specialists is severely limited, most of them being audiologists or physicians. Some of the descriptions are based on a specific program and therefore not representative of the total program or philosophy in that country. Many of the contributors show a lack of awareness of recent research on sign language and total communication. The book can be used as a source of information on audiological or educational facilities in foreign countries since most chapters include a list of periodicals both for the professional and lay person as well as a list of professional organizations and a bibliography for the hearing impaired. Yerker Andersson, M.A. Associate Professor, Department of Sociology Gallaudet College Washington, D.C. 20002 I Can Write, Dorothy McCarr, 6 booklets, 80 pp. each, $2.25 each, Dormac Publishing Company, Lake Oswego, Or. 97034, 1975. J Can Write is designed as a supplement for students who need repititous gradual steps in learning to write simple sentences. The series contains six carefully programmed booklets, each dealing with four action verbs. The fading device is employed to develop their semantic and syntactic usage. For example, Booklet I shows a picture of a boy walking. The sentence beneath it reads: "The boy is walking." Under that is: "---------------------------------walk____" The student is required to fill in the blanks. By the end of the booklet, through variations of this technique, the student should be able to generate a sentence using each of the four verbs in the book. The booklets should lend themselves easily to individualization on many levels. The illustrations are simple, attractive, but not to "young." These are an excellent supplement to the Apple Tree writing program and could reinforce any program stressing simple sentence patterns. Deborah Clark, M.A. Maryland School for the Deaf Frederick, Md. 21701 Sign Language, Lou Fant, M.Α., 164 pp., Joyce Media, Inc., 8613 Yolanda, P.O. Box 458, Northridge, Ca. 91328,1977. Lou Fant, one of the best known proponents of American Sign Language as well as one of the greatest demonstrators of its richness, variety and artistry, has come out with an Ameslan text that incorporates still photographs and drawings. The chapters include review exercises , space for notes, explanations of Sign within the dimensions of space, size, directionality , body movements, and facial and other expressions. The excellent photography helps make it easy to understand and follow the introduced signs. Mr. Fant does not just depict signs but teaches how to use them. Since the learner will need feedback, this text is best utilized for a class in Ameslan with an instructor well versed in this mode of communication. Lawrence Newman, Assistant Supt. California School for the Deaf Riverside, Ca. 92506 Hearing Aids—Current Developments and Concepts , Martha Rubin, Ed.D., 293 pp., $16.50, University Park Press, Chamber of Commerce Building, Baltimore , Md. This book is a product of a conference held in May 1975, at the Lexington School for the Deaf. There are 19 people listed as contributors. With the exception of the chapter by Gerstman , "The Development of a Test Instrument for Speech Discrimination," there is little new material in this book. There is some interesting dialogue between some of the speakers and "Audience Members." The book could most likely be summarized as a compilation of a few facts and a great deal of personal opinion unsupported by fact. One doesn't have to read past the "Introduction " to realize that more than one of the contributors is willing to take a shot at the American Speech and Hearing Association for their stand on hearing aids. One point of interest is in Rubin's presentation where she implies that children who are on phénobarbital may have an abnormal acoustic reflex, and this will necessitate a reduction of the MPO of an aid "because their stapedius 486 A...