*Almost all children born to Deaf adults experience a balancing act between the culture and language of their Deaf parents adn the "hearing world" of their teachers and peers. Some experts feel that children of Deaf adults will encounter potential delays in language development because of their lack of exposure to spoken language. There is very little evidence that supports this theory though, and it is thought that many hearing children of Deaf parents encounter enough, approximately five to ten hours a week, of spoken language from outside sources to not pose a problem. Just as importantly as the exposure to spoken language, is the way clinical and service providers are cautious of using generalized lables such as "language-delayed." The child may in fact be "spoken language-delayed" but the provider must be aware that the child may very well be advanced in their other language, ASL.
The Diversity of Hearing Children of Deaf Parents
*It is not well known, but children of Deaf adults are as diverse as children of hearing adults. Mnay children of Deaf adults enter fields and succeed at the highest levels. Texas attorney/politician Homer Thornberry, became a member of Congress, a federal judge, a nominee to the United States Supreme Court. There are also the four sons of Arkansas School for the Deaf teachers, Emogene and Houston Nutt; each became star athletes and successful coaches of university athletic teams. Louise Fletcher, the daughter of prominent deaf Episcopalian minister, won an Oscar as Beat Actress in One Flew Over teh Cuckoo's Nest in 1975. Also the list of children of Deaf adults who have earned a doctorate is very lengthy. Many children of Deaf adults feel at ease in a wide range of situatuions while children in the general public may only feel comfortable surrounded by the familiarity of family and community.