Deaf Like Me

Deaf Like Me is primarily about the debate between manualism and oralism in d/Deaf education. Which of the two philosophies do you think is more effective? Do you agree with this book’s perspective? Why or why not?

In your own words, explain why Lynn’s parents finally changed their perspective and started teaching Lynn ASL. Explain how this choice changed Lynn’s life and the lives of her family members.

Do some research into contemporary issues in Deaf culture, including controversies around cochlear implants, the ongoing use of oralism in some education programs, and the recognition of ASL as a language. Write an essay explaining what you have learned.

Lynn’s Epilogue was added to the book for the 1985 edition. Why do you think having Lynn’s perspective is important? How does the inclusion of this Epilogue change the meaning and impact of the text?

Compare and contrast Deaf Like Me to another text covering similar themes. Some options could include Children of a Lesser God (1986) by Mark Medoff or The Cry of the Gull (1994) by Emmanuelle Laborit.

Consider the role of shame in Deaf Like Me. Shame and ignorance make it more difficult for Lynn’s parents to acknowledge the importance of ASL. Write an essay exploring this motif in more detail.

If you are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, consider your own experiences with learning language. Which approach(es) did your family use? Were they effective? Write a personal essay about the role of language (including ASL, English, and other languages) in your own life.

Do you know ASL or another sign language? If so, in which contexts do you find sign language useful in your own life? If not, what benefit (if any) do you think you might get from learning a sign language?