Non-Broadcasting 101:
How to Support Families Without Bias
Leeanne Seaver, M.A.
Hands & Voices National
Denver, Colorado
Karen Putz, M.A.
Illinois Hands & Voices
Chicago, Illinois
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
Faculty Disclosure Information
In the past 12 months, I/we have not had a significant
financial interest or other relationship with the
manufacturer(s) of the product(s) or provider(s) of the
service(s) that will be discussed in this presentation.
This presentation will not include discussion of
pharmaceuticals or devices that have not been approved
by the FDA nor discussion of unapproved or “off-label”
uses of pharmaceuticals or devices.
These guidelines are in accordance with the American
Academy of Pediatrics Faculty Presentation Guidelines.
Hands & Voices Mission:
Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are
Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes
or methodology.
We’re a parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families and the
professionals who serve them with the resources, networks, and
information they need to improve communication access and
educational outcomes for their children.
Our outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration, and advocacy
efforts are focused on enabling children who are deaf or hard of
hearing to reach their highest potential.
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
Tuning in to what we’re sending out…
Are you “broadcasting” your PBS
(Personal Belief System) or
predisposing an outcome
through bias?
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
Bias:
To cause to swerve from
a course; to influence
(usually unfairly) or
inspire with prejudice
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
Personal Belief System:
A set of propositions
held to be true based
on our own
experiences,
education,
and assumptions.
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
The Impact of PBS
Our Personal Belief System is what we draw
from as we support each other.
Parent-to-Parent connections have credibility
and compassion.
We can learn from one another’s experiences.
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
Bias
• Intentionally
influencing the
audience
• Manipulating people,
information, and
events to achieve a
predisposed outcome
vs
PBS
• Sharing the benefit of
our experience &
education with each
other
• Connecting on
common ground
• Credibility
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
When PBS Becomes Bias
• When we use our PBS to
generalize or extrapolate
towards a conclusion for
another’s situation, we
shift from PBS to Bias.
• Bias & manipulation can
compromise or destroy
the authenticity of the
experience, and the
investment of parents.
Copyright © 2005 Hands & Voices
What the Research Says…
(In an analysis of 181 Research studies (or so)
“…the most frustrating finding concerning language
development of children who are deaf is the fact that the
researchers have not yet found THE approach that
supports development across the domains of social
functioning, educational achievement, and literacy. A
single such approach is unlikely….”
from Language Development in Children Who are
Deaf: A Research Synthesis (2001)
www.nasdse.org/forum.htm
Do you understand the complexity of
this issue for the family?
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Age of Identification
Onset of Hearing loss
Degree of Hearing loss
Benefit from Hearing Aids
Family Dynamics:
– Siblings & Extended Family
– Lifestyle
– Bilingual issues
– Culture & Values
– Attitude & Commitment
– Finances
Multiple Issues or Labels
Family Support System
Urban or Rural
Availability of Resources
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Technology
– Parents can choose sound
– Validity of testing
Society issues
– Beliefs about Disability
– Social Isolation
Child’s Innate Abilities: learning style,
personality, development, inclinations
Peers & Social Outlets
Educational Options
Long term Goals
Validity of information
Flexibility and fluidity of choicemaking process
– Let the child lead
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
Broadcast Testing:
• Is your PBS crossing the line into bias?
-- Do you have an outcome in mind for this
family? -- Do you know what’s best for them?
• Do you have experiences working with families
who have been successful with diverse
modes/methods of communication?
• Can you share information effectively and
equitably without conveying your own opinions?
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
Condoned Bias
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Private practitioners
Schools/Orgs with a published
communication philosophy
“I am biased, so you need to take
that into consideration here.
There may be other viable
options for you to explore, and
I strongly encourage you to do
so!”
Copyright 2006 Hands & Voices
Ask Yourself…
• How are you helping families explore their
choices?
• Do you believe that the parents will make the right
choice for their child?
• Do you understand that sometimes making the
‘wrong’ choice gets you to the right choice?
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
But remember….
Flexible,
but not wishy-washy
No choice is set in stone
Parents will gain confidence with experience
and rise to the occasion
The child should move from passive
participant to active participant
as early as possible so they grow
into a sense of self advocacy.
This is hard! This is easy! Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
This is their journey, not yours.
So how do we help
them navigate?
Appropriate, Effective Input
• Qualify your remarks,
“This was true for me and
my family, but your
situation is different.”
• Sometimes it’s “just the
facts”
• “Don’t just do something
– stand there and pay
attention” (Dean, 1991)
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
Hands & Voices’ ‘Sniff Test’
• How do you recognize bias?
• You’ll know it when you hear it!
– “It’s harder to teach a child to sign than to speak.”
– “Teaching a deaf/hh child to speak is harder than
teaching them sign language.”
– “ASL is the native language of ALL Deaf children”
– “It’s a Hearing world, and you have to learn to speak
to be successful in it”
– “Sign language is a crutch”
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
‘Sniff Test’ continued…
– “If you teach sign language to your child, s/he will
never learn to speak.”
– “If you don’t teach sign language to your child, he will
learn anyway when he grows up, and then he’ll be
angry that you kept it from him.”
– “If your child fails in this method it is because of your
lack of commitment as a parent.”
– “ALL Deaf and hard of hearing kids should/can learn to
_____________”(enter any method)
– “An oral child shouldn’t be exposed to sign.”
– And more…
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Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
Passing the Sniff Test
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Equitable presentation of information
PBS is disclaimed
Non-offensive interactions
Achieves the perception of balance and avoids the
perception of imbalance
– Troubleshooting as necessary
– Benign support of other groups
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Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
The Benefits of Being Un-Biased
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Confidence in the choices you are facilitating
No need to defend your choices or “bias”
Not tied to a outcome you can’t control
Increased trust in the relationship
Greater family ownership of their choices
Diminishment of fear, escalation of HOPE
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Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
But I don’t think
I’m being too
directive…?!
“Please just tell me what to do!”
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Validation
Re-Focus
Disclaim
Affirmation
Patience
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
The Parents’ Obligation
.Distinguish between your
experience & realities and
those that will be unique
to your child because s/he
is deaf or hard of hearing.
Develop a “lens” that recognizes all communication
and assures that your child
has access to it.
Love and nurture your child
as a human being..
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
The Parent-Support Obligation
• Distinguish between
your experience and
truths, and those that
will be unique to this
family.
• Deserve their trust.
• Do not manipulate.
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
What Makes the Choice Right?
“Our decision was both right and wrong
and demonstrates how perplexing and
delicate choices like these are to make
& accept.” – David Seerman
(Changed by a Child, p.96)
Our H&V Motto:
What makes the choice work for
your child and family is what
makes the choice right.
Copyright © 2006 Hands & Voices
For more information…
Hands & Voices National
PO Box 371926
Denver CO 80237
Toll Free 1-866-422-0422 V/TTY
www.handsandvoices.org
And…
www.babyhearing.org
www.beginningssvcs.com
www.infanthearing.org/familysupport