The World of Deaf Infants: A Longitudinal Study

What is the impact of an infant's diminished hearing on the infant and its parents? How does communication develop in cases of diminished hearing? How does diminished hearing affect social and cognitive development? What types of early interventions can improve communication and development in infants with diminished hearing? The World of Deaf Infants presents the results of a 15-year research study that addresses these questions. Through their research, perhaps the largest, long-term comparison of deaf and hearing infants, Meadow-Orlans's team provides a comprehensive and intimate look into the world of deaf infants. For a core group of 80 families that includs all four combinations of parent-infant hearing status, data was collected longitudinally at 9, 12, 15, and 18 months, and mother-infant interactions were recorded and observed in both structured and unstructured settings. Mothers' facial, vocal, and tactile behaviors during interactions were related to infants' temperament and stress; mothers' linguistic and communication behaviors, as well as their overall responsiveness, were related to children's language; and the effects of support provided to mothers were evaluated and explored. The results were dramatic, particularly those on infant attachment behaviors and the importance of visual attention to the overall development of deaf infants. This comprehensive work provides a foundation on which researchers, teachers, students, and parents can build to improve communication, cognitive and social development, and to enhance the world of deaf infants.

Kathryn P. Meadow-Orlans's research with deaf children and their families spans almost 40 years. A sociologist by training, her early work helped to spark the shift from "oral-only" deaf education to the acceptance of sign language. She is the author of numerous books and articles about deafness and child development.

Patricia Elizabeth Spencer has been a classroom teacher, educational diagnostician, clinic administrator, researcher, and university professor. Her research has focused on processes and effects of early communication experiences. Currently Professor of Social Work at Gallaudet University, she teaches research and evaluation courses to deaf and hearing graduate students.

Lynne Sanford Koester's research with deaf infants followed extensive training with Prof. Hanu Papouek in Germany, where she assisted in developing microanalytic coding systems for studies of intuitive parenting behaviors. She has recently completed a scientific biography of Papouek's life during the Cold War.