STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Explain what the ecology of deafness entails.

 II.     Explain why the term `Psychology of Deafness` differs in focus from the term `Ecology of Deafness`.

 III.    Identify the background variables that may have an affect on the ramifications of one`s deafness.

 IV.     Discuss the background variables that may have an effect on the ramifications of one`s deafness.

 V.      Identify and describe the emotional stages that parents go through in accepting their child`s hearing loss.

 VI.     Discuss the issues and problems that parents of deaf children are faced with upon determining the appropriate educational placement for their children.

 VII.    Describe the differences in the ways deaf and hearing parents deal with their child`s hearing loss.

 VIII.   Identify means of normal language acquisition and how deafness may have an impact on normal language acquisition.

 IX.     Discuss the various communication methods and systems and their role in language development.

 X       Identify past and present theories of assessment of intelligence in deaf individuals.

 XI.     Explain the role the brain plays in cognitive development.

 XII.    Recognize the existence of the deaf community.

 XIII.   Identify some common bonds and characteristics of the deaf community.

 XIV.    Analyze stereotyping and labeling of deaf persons and the impact of stigma on deaf people¿s lives.

 XV.     Discuss how sound is produced, and the role the ear plays in this.

 XVI.    Identify the different types of hearing losses and the possible causes.

 XVII.   Define the role of an audiologist.

 XVIII.  Demonstrate an introductory-level understanding of audiograms.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      ECOLOGY OF DEAFNESS:  Definitions and Background Variables

 II.     PARENTS OF DEAF CHILDREN:  Emotional Response, Educational Issues, and Hearing Parents vs. Deaf Parents.

 III.    LANGUAGE AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT:  Language Acquisition, and Cognitive Development.

 IV.     THE DEAF COMMUNITY:  Community and Stigma.

 V.      AUDIOLOGICAL ISSUES:  Anatomy of the Ear, Types of Hearing Losses, Etiology, and Audiologists.