Telling the story of theory of mind: Deaf and hearing children's narratives and mental state understanding

Theory of mind (ToM) was examined in late-signing deaf children in two studies by using standard tests and measures of spontaneous talk about inner states of perception, affect and cognition during storytelling. In Study 1, there were 21 deaf children aged 6 to 11 years and 13 typical-hearing children matched with the deaf by chronological age. In Study 2, there were 17 deaf children aged 6 to 12 years and 17 typical-hearing preschoolers aged 4 to 5 years who were matched with the deaf by ToM test performance. In addition to replicating the consistently reported finding of poor performance on standard false belief tests by late-signing deaf children, significant correlations emerged in both studies between deaf children's ToM test scores and their spontaneous narrative talk about imaginative cognition (e.g. 'pretend'). In Study 2, with a new set of purpose-built pictures that evoked richer and more complex mentalistic narration than the published picture book of Study 1, results of multiple regression analyses showed that children's narrative talk about imaginative cognition was uniquely important, over and above hearing status and talking of other kinds of mental states, in predicting ToM scores. The same was true of children's elaborated narrative talk using utterances that either spelt out thoughts, explained inner states or introduced contrastives. In addition, results of a Guttman scalograrn analysis in Study 2 suggested a consistent sequence in narrative and standard test performance by deaf and hearing children that went from (1) narrative mention of visible (affective or perceptual) mental states only, along with FB failure, to (2) narrative mention of cognitive states along with (1), to (3) elaborated narrative talk about inner states along with (2), and finally to (4) simple and elaborated narrative talk about affective/perceptual and cognitive states along with FIB test success. Possible explanations for this performance ordering, as well as for the observed correlations in both studies between ToM test scores and narrative variables, were considered.

The comparison of vestibular functions in hearing and hearing impaired populations

This study investigates possible vestibular dysfunctions in the deaf using a typical clinical assessment battery and discerns whether there is a trend between these disorders in meningitic children as compared to children with unknown origins of deafness.

Computer assisted instruction for developing speech perception skills in profoundly deaf children

This paper evaluates the usefulness of the "Foundations in Speech Perception" computer program developed by Breakthrough, Inc. in conjunction with Central Institute for the Deaf.

A study of the TAGS, an enduring teaching tool: teachers’ perspectives on the Teacher Assessment of Grammatical Structures teaching practices and application

This paper is studied look at the Teacher’s Assessment of Grammatical Structures (TAGS), Teacher Assessment of Spoken Language (TASL), and Cottage Acquisition Scales for Listening, Language and Speech (CASLLS) criterion-referenced language assessments as well as an inquiry into how teachers of the deaf use the TAGS currently as a teaching tool.

The effectiveness of phonics instruction for children with hearing impairments

This study reports the findings of a reading instruction survey of forty-five schools for the deaf across the United States.

The effects of the SKILL Program on the language and socialization of hearing impaired children

This study will examine the effects of the SKILL Program on the social and pragmatic skills of the hearing-impaired children in the Pre-K department of the Central Institute for the Deaf. It will assess language and social skills necessary for the children to be successful in the mainstream and how having hearing peers may have contributed to their gaining of those skills.

More appropriate: additional stories for students who are hearing impaired using the "Specialized Program Individualizing Reading Excellence" (S.P.I.R.E.) curriculum

S.P.I.R.E., at use at Central Institute for the Deaf, is a comprehensive, multi-sensory systematic reading and language program that targets at risk and struggling students. The purpose of this project was to write additional stories and sentences for students who are hearing impaired through reader 2 that may be used in conjunction with the exiting stories and supplements.

The relation between Wechsler Performance Quotients and quotients on the Snijders-Oomen Non-Verbal Intelligence Scale

This paper examines the relationship between results of the Wechsler-Bellevue Performance Test of Intelligence and the Snijders-Oomen Non-Verbal Intelligence Scale (SONS) as given to hearing-impaired students at Central Institute for the Deaf.

A student handbook for the laryngectomy clinic

This paper presents a handbook for students introducing them to the Laryngectomy Clinic of Central Institute for the Deaf and providing them basic facts regarding laryngectomees and alaryngeal speech.

Speech and the hearing-impaired child: evaluation and revision of the CID Speech Skills Worksheet

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current use of the Central Institute for the Deaf’s Speech Skills Worksheet by teacher of the deaf and speech-language pathologists, review the current literature on speech development in hearing-impaired children, and apply the findings to develop a more comprehensive Speech Skills Worksheet.

Factors related to oral communication ability in profoundly deaf children

This study examines which factors might be related to the successful development of good oral communication skills in hearing-impaired students at a school for the deaf.

Evaluation of a feedback equalization algorithm in the CID Wearable Digital Hearing Aid

This paper describes the results of an investigation which examined the efficacy of a feedback equalization algorithm incorporated into the Central Institute for the Deaf Wearable Digital Hearing Aid. The study examined whether the feedback equalization would allow for greater usable gains when subjects listened to soft speech signals, and if so, whether or not this would improve speech intelligibility.

Culturally appropriate activities for Spanish speaking families and educators of children who are deaf or hard of hearing

A look at teaching language to a child who is deaf or hard of hearing from a Spanish speaking home. A guide, including songs, activities and wordlists for families and teachers of the deaf.

Evidence-based (or not!) practices used for reading instruction in oral deaf education schools

This descriptive study aims at determining the most widely used reading instructional practices that are used by teachers of the deaf in oral deaf education schools.

Research on theory of mind in deaf education

Prior research has shown that theory of mind (ToM) development is delayed in children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Although research has demonstrated a delay in ToM development in children who are deaf and hard of hearing there are not many suggestions for how ToM is or should be addressed in deaf education. The current research addressed this issue by compiling an extensive literature review and sending 113 surveys’ to OPTION schools for the deaf around the country.