For purchasing the video. You will get an email shortly with a link to download the video.
About
When The Greatest Irony first was put on the Internet as a four-part series on March 17, 2007, response from the community was staggering. With messages from around the world, Amy Cohen Efron realized that she had touched upon an issue that brought differing, often clashing perspectives. The video, comparing two of the most popular and fastest-growing language programs for hearing babies and Deaf babies, set off heated, passionate discussions among people from all walks of life. It became clear that the majority agreed that it was unfair to deny deaf babies the opportunity to learn sign language, especially with American Sign Language’s proven success rate among babies, hearing or deaf.
On the About.com Deafness forum run by Jamie Berke, The Greatest Irony was recognized as the “Blog of the Week.” Berke had this to say about the thought-provoking blog:
“In her signed vlog masterpiece (a transcript is thoughtfully provided), The Greatest Irony, Amy Cohen Efron discusses and contrasts the benefits of baby sign language for hearing babies with the auditory verbal training given to deaf babies. For example, she notes that one of the objectives of baby sign language for hearing children is that it reduces frustration; auditory verbal therapy does not have the same objective. The irony is that while the hearing babies are encouraged to sign, the deaf babies have to use whatever hearing they have, without sign language. This vlog is a must viewing.”
Professionals
The Greatest Irony video can be used as an excellent teaching tool for educators, audiologists in training, early infant hearing screening programs, and specialized programs for infants with significant hearing losses.
In the near future, a DVD consisting of a videoclip and a specifically designed curriculum will be available for purchase. The DVD also features materials and resources ideal for programs which train professionals for work with deaf children in educational, medical and community settings.
Reviews
What people have said about The Greatest Irony:
You are right – it is ironic. Sadly ironic. The language of the Deaf is taught to hearing children but rejected for Deaf children – who are presented with the language of the hearing instead! The record of hearing people trying and failing to make Deaf children more like hearing ones goes back to the 1600s. One thing that has changed is that we have good research evidence now that Deaf children who learn sign language early do better at learning English. – and of course they do not spend years language impaired. It has been a pleasure watching your video; you have such an engaging and clear presentation; it is a service to Deaf and hearing people alike.
Dr. Harlan Lane, author and Matthews Distinguished University Professor
Northeastern University, Boston
What you say is compelling.
Dr. Noam Chomsky, Institute Professor and Professor Emeritus, Linguistics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Thank you for the link to this very interesting blog! Being on the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, and being involved with newborn hearing screening here in California has given me a wonderful opportunity to work with deaf educators and deaf parents. It was my interest in ASL and the deaf community that got me into audiology 30+ years ago, and I have great respect for the language and culture, and always endeavor to provide parents with a balanced perspective on their future with their deaf baby.
Dr. Alison Grimes, President
American Academy of Audiology
Your presentation is what parents, physicians and teachers should know. Learning is not based on a single sense, i.e. hearing. In fact the interaction among the working senses is the key to learning. Should we assume that without hearing, children cannot learn anything?
Dr. Yerker Andersson, Professor Emeritus
Gallaudet University
Purchase
Download the full version of the videoclip for only $9.99!
The video is 12 minutes long, and includes a voice-over and subtitles in English.
To purchase a full version of The Greatest Irony video, click on the PayPal icon.
In the near future, a DVD consisting of a videoclip and a specifically designed curriculum will be available for purchase. The DVD also features materials and resources ideal for programs which train professionals for work with deaf children in educational, medical and community settings.
Parents
For many parents, the idea of using sign language with your child is exciting. For others, however, it may be a bit of a question, given all the contradicting information you may have been provided.
While this Web site does not promise to be a resource center, listed below are some reputable resources that discuss the benefits of using sign language with your child, deaf or hearing.
This page is still being updated. For now, check out:
If you know of further resources that belong on this page, let me know!
Product Reviews
The following products are endorsed by Amy Cohen Efron. Each product is carefully evaluated for its value in teaching sign language to babies.
Criteria include:
• Quality
• Ease of learning
• Sign accuracy (i.e., are they actual American Sign Language signs, or simply made-up signs)
• Cost
• Overall presentation
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: To be announced in October!
Come back soon and find out which product of the month is endorsed by Amy Cohen Efron!
Contact
info goes here
Biography
Amy Cohen Efron
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Amy attended Lexington School for the Deaf before being mainstreamed, starting at third grade. However, it wasn’t until the age of seventeen that she learned American Sign Language. She went on to earn three degrees from Gallaudet University, all specializing in psychology. She has worked with deaf children for fifteen years in various capacities: schools for the deaf, a non-profit organization, and a mental health center.
She is currently employed as a school psychologist specializing in prevention and intervention programs at a day school for deaf students in Atlanta.
A sought-after speaker, Amy has given presentations in various states on mental health-related topics such as Raising Healthy Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, Mental Health and Deaf Youth, Beyond Psychological Evaluation, and Cyberbullying and Online Safety in Deaf Children.
Growing up in New York City and being surrounded by visual images from the media, helped Amy realize that visual media is of paramount importance. That realization propelled her to expand her understanding on how to use visual media to express her views and knowledge about issues pertaining to the Deaf community, such as the widely viewed The Greatest Irony. Amy’s fascination with computers, video and media led her to establish her own blog and vlog, in which she has defined herself as a compassionate individual with a vision.
Thank you
For purchasing the video. You will get an email shortly with a link to download the video.
About
When The Greatest Irony first was put on the Internet as a four-part series on March 17, 2007, response from the community was staggering. With messages from around the world, Amy Cohen Efron realized that she had touched upon an issue that brought differing, often clashing perspectives. The video, comparing two of the most popular and fastest-growing language programs for hearing babies and Deaf babies, set off heated, passionate discussions among people from all walks of life. It became clear that the majority agreed that it was unfair to deny deaf babies the opportunity to learn sign language, especially with American Sign Language’s proven success rate among babies, hearing or deaf.
On the About.com Deafness forum run by Jamie Berke, The Greatest Irony was recognized as the “Blog of the Week.” Berke had this to say about the thought-provoking blog:
“In her signed vlog masterpiece (a transcript is thoughtfully provided), The Greatest Irony, Amy Cohen Efron discusses and contrasts the benefits of baby sign language for hearing babies with the auditory verbal training given to deaf babies. For example, she notes that one of the objectives of baby sign language for hearing children is that it reduces frustration; auditory verbal therapy does not have the same objective. The irony is that while the hearing babies are encouraged to sign, the deaf babies have to use whatever hearing they have, without sign language. This vlog is a must viewing.”
Professionals
The Greatest Irony video can be used as an excellent teaching tool for educators, audiologists in training, early infant hearing screening programs, and specialized programs for infants with significant hearing losses.
In the near future, a DVD consisting of a videoclip and a specifically designed curriculum will be available for purchase. The DVD also features materials and resources ideal for programs which train professionals for work with deaf children in educational, medical and community settings.
Reviews
What people have said about The Greatest Irony:
You are right – it is ironic. Sadly ironic. The language of the Deaf is taught to hearing children but rejected for Deaf children – who are presented with the language of the hearing instead! The record of hearing people trying and failing to make Deaf children more like hearing ones goes back to the 1600s. One thing that has changed is that we have good research evidence now that Deaf children who learn sign language early do better at learning English. – and of course they do not spend years language impaired. It has been a pleasure watching your video; you have such an engaging and clear presentation; it is a service to Deaf and hearing people alike.
Dr. Harlan Lane, author and Matthews Distinguished University Professor
Northeastern University, Boston
What you say is compelling.
Dr. Noam Chomsky, Institute Professor and Professor Emeritus, Linguistics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Thank you for the link to this very interesting blog! Being on the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, and being involved with newborn hearing screening here in California has given me a wonderful opportunity to work with deaf educators and deaf parents. It was my interest in ASL and the deaf community that got me into audiology 30+ years ago, and I have great respect for the language and culture, and always endeavor to provide parents with a balanced perspective on their future with their deaf baby.
Dr. Alison Grimes, President
American Academy of Audiology
Your presentation is what parents, physicians and teachers should know. Learning is not based on a single sense, i.e. hearing. In fact the interaction among the working senses is the key to learning. Should we assume that without hearing, children cannot learn anything?
Dr. Yerker Andersson, Professor Emeritus
Gallaudet University
Purchase
Download the full version of the videoclip for only $9.99!
The video is 12 minutes long, and includes a voice-over and subtitles in English.
To purchase a full version of The Greatest Irony video, click on the PayPal icon.
In the near future, a DVD consisting of a videoclip and a specifically designed curriculum will be available for purchase. The DVD also features materials and resources ideal for programs which train professionals for work with deaf children in educational, medical and community settings.
Parents
For many parents, the idea of using sign language with your child is exciting. For others, however, it may be a bit of a question, given all the contradicting information you may have been provided.
While this Web site does not promise to be a resource center, listed below are some reputable resources that discuss the benefits of using sign language with your child, deaf or hearing.
This page is still being updated. For now, check out:
“From Gesture to Language in Hearing and Deaf Children,” by Virginia Volterra and Carol J. Erting, editors.
If you know of further resources that belong on this page, let me know!
Product Reviews
The following products are endorsed by Amy Cohen Efron. Each product is carefully evaluated for its value in teaching sign language to babies.
Criteria include:
• Quality
• Ease of learning
• Sign accuracy (i.e., are they actual American Sign Language signs, or simply made-up signs)
• Cost
• Overall presentation
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: To be announced in October!
Come back soon and find out which product of the month is endorsed by Amy Cohen Efron!
Contact
info goes here
Biography
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Amy attended Lexington School for the Deaf before being mainstreamed, starting at third grade. However, it wasn’t until the age of seventeen that she learned American Sign Language. She went on to earn three degrees from Gallaudet University, all specializing in psychology. She has worked with deaf children for fifteen years in various capacities: schools for the deaf, a non-profit organization, and a mental health center.