Auditory disorders in the classroom: A guide for speech language pathologists, audiologists and educators

Abstract

Tobias Haug, Wolfgang Mann and Philip Prinz (chapter 4) dedicates also a section to the challenges of assessment of sign language skills of atypical and diverse sign language users. Also, they address methodological issues in web-based sign language assessment tests and analyse the role of the dynamic assessment of sign language. Matthew Dye and Robin Thompson (chapter 8) analyse issues in relation to sign language comprehension and production and describe the psycholinguistic processes and challenges in acquiring sign languages, especially for those children whose access to a sign language is delayed. Velia Cardin, Ruth Campbell, Mairéad MacSweeney, Emil Holmer, Jerker Rönnberg and Mary Rudner (chapter 9) focus on brain plasticity and language development. The authors outline the importance of critical periods in a person’s development and provide research indicating that developmental adaptability of the neural system is modality-independent and that the reorganisation of the brain of deaf persons occurs as a result of visual communication strategies. Finally, in Chapter 10, Gladys Tang, Robert Adam and Karen Simpson make an overview of sign bilingual education in certain countries, describe the evolution of and the future development in sign bilingual education by considering the changing linguistic repertoire of deaf children, the technological and educational trends. This edited volume can be of interest to linguists, psychologists, neuroscientists and other professionals who study sign language development. The educational dimension is less addressed, but some chapters provide useful research for early educators. The last chapter addresses more educational issues by discussing the present and the future of sign bilingualism in educational contexts. In conclusion, this volume makes the readers aware of Bencie Woll’s contribution in sign language studies and also provides theoretical and empirical information regarding sign language development including communication and early interaction, cognitive skills, assessment, brain plasticity and sign bilingualism. Each chapter addresses interesting topics and poses new questions for future research.