2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
3/04/2019 | 2:15 PM - 2:40 PM | Eye Gaze in Deaf Babies | Paris
Eye Gaze in Deaf Babies
Current literature shows that fetuses prefer information that they heard within the third trimester of a pregnancy (DeCasper & Spence, 1986). Later, Spencer (2000) investigated whether audition was a prerequisite for the development of visual attention during infancy. Spencer looked at twenty participants (deaf infants of deaf mothers, deaf infants of hearing mothers, and hearing infants of hearing mothers). The results indicate that early visual attention is influenced by different communicative experiences. Deaf mothers with deaf babies antidotally report that their newborn makes direct eye contact at birth which was often noticed by the medical people in the delivery room.
This project collected mothers’ retrospective memories of their deaf infants’ early visual attentional behaviors as well as their pre-birth communication strategies. Mothers were asked to recall strategies and tactics used during their pregnancies to communicate with their fetus. This mixed-method study was designed to include both a brief survey and a follow-up interview. Pilot data collection will be shared. These retrospective memories from deaf mothers regarding their natural strategies can begin to build a knowledge base related to how deaf infants organize prenatal experiences using other intact sensory systems. It may begin to provide knowledge of how deaf mothers trigger these alternative sensory systems and can lead to future studies investigating the early gaze behaviors of deaf infants with hearing mothers who may not use the same strategies and tactics.
- to identify different early visual attention behaviors in infants
- to understand the importance of eye gazing and its benefits
- to highlight the cognitive aspects of early visual language inputs
Presentation:
18878_10518HeidiMacGlaughlin.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
18878_10518HeidiMacGlaughlin.docx
Presenters/Authors
Beth Hamilton
(), N/A, BMHamilton5@gmail.com;
A dynamic educator, researcher, and presenter, Dr. Beth M. Hamilton specializes in early language and child development among deaf and hard of hearing children. She works as deaf/hard of hearing Educational Consultant around the nation. She holds a doctoral degree in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education from Lamar University and master degree in education and a bachelor degree in art therapy from Marylhurst University. She also has certifications in conflict and resolution mediation and early intervention.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Heidi MacGlaughlin
(), Lamar University, hmacglaughli@lamar.edu;
Heidi M. MacGlaughlin is a faculty member of the Deaf Studies and Deaf Education Department at Lamar University. She received her doctoral degree from Lamar University in May 2018. Her research interests center on language and literacy among young Deaf children. Heidi also directs her research on the topics of research ethics within Deaf communities and social justice.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Kimberly Pudans-Smith
(), Gallaudet University, kimberly.pudans-smith@gallaudet.edu;
Dr. Kim Pudans-Smith, ASL Connect Co-Founder and Co-Director, ASL as a Second Language Program Coordinator at Gallaudet
University with ASL and Deaf Studies department, has been teaching ASL for more
than 20 years at various universities and colleges in the Maryland, Delaware and DC
area. Kim also gives presentations and trainings at various conferences, workshops,
and centers on teaching ASL, Intercultural communication and Interpreting.
Kim is an alumnus of Gallaudet University, McDaniel College and Lamar University. Her primary research focus on which format
would be an effective medium teaching ASL. However, her research interest includes
online format, ASL classes, designing ASL and Deaf culture curriculum in America
and Tanzania, Deaf identity, empowering Deaf individuals especially in Tanzania,
and the power of language.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -