Deaf Like Me
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Book Brief
285
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
•
Education•
BiographyUnited States • 1960s
•
Family•
Education•
Health1985
Gallaudet University Press
YA
12+ years
Super Short Summary
Deaf Like Me by Thomas S. Spradley is a non-fiction biography detailing the struggles and triumphs of the Spradley family as they raise their deaf daughter, Lynn, in a time when oralism was the predominant educational approach. This approach, which emphasizes lip reading and discourages sign language, proves ineffective, leading the family to eventually embrace American Sign Language (ASL), allowing Lynn to thrive.
Inspirational
Emotional
Challenging
Hopeful
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
1,345 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Deaf Like Me by Thomas S. Spradley elicits strong emotions from readers, with praise for its heartfelt recounting of a family's journey raising a deaf child. Many appreciate its candid exploration of parenting challenges and advocacy for sign language. Critiques include some finding it occasionally repetitive and overly focused on medical details. Overall, it is a compelling, earnest narrative.
Who Should Read Deaf Like Me?
A reader interested in personal narratives about overcoming challenges, particularly within families dealing with disabilities, would enjoy Deaf Like Me by Thomas S. Spradley. Comparable to The Story of My Life by Helen Keller and Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin, it appeals to those fascinated by resilience and advocacy in the face of adversity.
1,345 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Lynn’s parents who initially navigate their daughter's deafness through oralist methods before embracing the Deaf community and learning ASL.
Lynn’s older brother, four years her senior, who supports her and learns ASL quickly to help his family communicate.
Loving grandparents to Lynn who initially struggle to communicate with her until they learn some ASL, providing her acceptance and support.
Neighbors with cerebral palsy who help Tom and Louise gain perspective on disability and offer reassurance about Lynn’s prospects.
A hearing couple with a Deaf daughter, whose fluency in ASL with their child inspires Tom and Louise.
A Deaf couple who communicate their experiences with oralism, helping the Spradleys understand the challenges of lip reading and speech.
A Deaf couple who become close to Lynn, assisting the Spradleys with ASL and offering Lynn a supportive environment.
285
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
•
Education•
BiographyUnited States • 1960s
•
Family•
Education•
Health1985
Gallaudet University Press
YA
12+ years
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