Examining the Language and Communication Factors of a Deaf Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder from an Immigrant Korean Family.

Extant research on learners who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing with disabilities who come from Asian immigrant families is extremely sparse. The authors conducted an intrinsic case study of a deaf student with autism who comes from a Korean immigrant family. To acquire a comprehensive understanding of language and communication characteristics, they analyzed (a) interview data of three administrators who worked with the student and family and (b) school documents/reports issued to the parents. Themes are reported across the three components of the tri-focus framework (Siegel-Causey & Bashinski, 1997): the learner, partner, and environment. Implications for practitioners who work with these learners and their families are discussed, including (a) compiling an individualized language and communication profile that encompasses the framework; (b) utilizing culturally and linguistically responsive practices with the family; (c) practicing interprofessional collaboration; and (d) modifying physical and social environments to increase accessibility.

Effects of Social Stories on Increasing Social Interaction and Engagement of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Inclusive Settings.

d/Deaf or hard of hearing (d/Dhh) students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may require specific approaches to promote social inclusion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of reading social stories with American Sign Language vocabulary to students who are d/Dhh with ASD (d/Dhh-ASD) and their peers in inclusive settings, using a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants. To examine the effectiveness of the intervention, the frequency of four communicative social behaviors and the duration of social engagement with peers were recorded for each participant during lunchtime and recess. The results did not show an immediate effect across all participants. Implications for promoting social inclusion for students who are d/Dhh-ASD in general education classrooms are discussed.

A Technology-based Intervention to Increase Reading Comprehension of Morphosyntax Structures.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a technology-based intervention (LanguageLinks: Syntax Assessment and Intervention®; Laureate Learning Systems, Inc., 2013) to improve reading comprehension for d/Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) elementary students. The intervention was a self-paced, interactive program designed to scaffold learning of morphosyntax structures. Participants included 37 DHH students with moderate to profound hearing levels, 7-12 years of age, in Grades 2-6. Assessment data were collected pre- and post- an 8-week intervention using a randomized control trial methodology. Findings indicate the intervention did not appear to be effective in improving performance, and 17 out of 36 morphosyntax structures were found difficult to comprehend for participants in the treatment group. These difficult structures included aspects of pronominalization, the verbal system, and number in nouns. Results are compared to previous research, with recommendations for future areas of research related to increasing knowledge of morphosyntax for learners who are DHH.

Single-Case Design Research on Early Literacy Skills of Learners Who Are d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

A systematic review explored the evidence base of literacy intervention studies that examined the early years of schooling (preschool through first grade) of participants who were d/Deaf or hard of hearing (d/Dhh). Specific inclusion criteria were used to select single-case design (SCD) studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 2004 and 2017. Fourteen studies met the criteria. Studies were evaluated according to the quality indicators for evidence-based research, individually and across studies (Horner et al., 2005; Institute for Educational Sciences, 2017; Kratochwill et al., 2013). Five of the 14 studies were categorized as "Meets Standards Without Reservations"; 7 as "Meets Standards With Reservations"; and 2 as "Does Not Meet Standards." None met the established criteria for an evidence base. Recommendations for future research are provided, with specific studies highlighted for replication to build evidence-based practices using SCD in the field of educating students who are d/Dhh.

A New Kind of Heterogeneity: What We Can Learn From d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Multilingual Learners.

The present article introduces a special issue of the American Annals of the Deaf. Students who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing and come from homes where a language other than English or American Sign Language is used constitute 19.4%-35.0% of the U.S. d/Dhh population (Gallaudet Research Institute, 2013). The authors propose moving beyond the standardized use of the designation English Language Learners to embrace terminology encompassing these learners as diverse and rich in language: d/Dhh Multilingual Learners (DMLs). The authors present (a) a discussion of terminology, (b) an overview of available demographic data, (c) a synopsis of the special issue, (d) themes across three case study vignettes, and (e) overall recommendations to advance curriculum design and pedagogy for DMLs. Questions are posed challenging researchers and practitioners to investigate theory, research, and pedagogy that can enhance practice with DMLs and their families.

Increasing Cultural And Linguistic Diversity In Deaf Education Teacher Preparation Programs.

As the field of education of the d/Deaf and hard of hearing (d/Dhh) continues to diversify, postsecondary institutions must pay close attention not only to the changing needs of d/Dhh students but to the practitioners they are preparing to serve this population. Students who are d/Dhh and come from homes where a language other than English or American Sign Language is used--d/Dhh Multilingual Learners (DMLs)--constitute 19.4%-35.0% of the d/Dhh student population (Gallaudet Research Institute, 2013). In the present article, part of a special American Annals of the Deaf issue on DMLs, the authors review demographic trends, examine the theory behind teacher effectiveness and culturally responsive teaching, provide examples from research on effective components of teacher preparation programs and discuss how they align with the field's certification standards, and recommend practices for programs and teachers to meet these standards within the field's ever-changing landscape.

Deafness and Diversity: Reflections and Directions.

Concluding a two-part American Annals of the Deaf special issue on deafness and diversity (DAD), the editors provide reflections and guidance to the field regarding d/Deaf and hard of hearing (d/Dhh) children with a disability (DWD; e.g., learning or intellectual disability, autism) and d/Dhh children from homes where parents use a language other than English or American Sign Language (d/Dhh Multilingual Learners; DMLs). Contributing authors addressed the application of theory, research, and practice to five topics: (a) early intervention, (b) communication/language, (c) assessment, (d) transition, (e) teacher preparation. An overview of the main recommendations of the contributors and editors is presented in an effort to advance research and pedagogy with these learners. In conclusion, the editors discuss the "Radical Middle" approach (Easterbrooks & Maiorana-Basas, 2015) to working with students who are DAD: providing learners with all options for academic, social, and emotional success.

Single-Case Design Research: Building the Evidence-Base in the Field of Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students.

The field of education of deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students has a paucity of evidence-based practices (EBPs) to guide instruction. The authors discussed how the research methodology of single-case design (SCD) can be used to build EBPs through direct and systematic replication of studies. An overview of SCD research methods is presented, including an explanation of how internal and external validity issues are addressed, and why SCD is appropriate for intervention research with DHH children. The authors then examine the SCD research in the field according to quality indicators (QIs; at the individual level and as a body of evidence) to determine the existing evidence base. Finally, future replication areas are recommended to fill the gaps in SCD research with students who are DHH in order to add to the evidence base in the field.

Comprehension of Written Grammar Test: Reliability and Known-Groups Validity Study With Hearing and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students.

The aim of the current study was to gather validation evidence for the Comprehension of Written Grammar (CWG; Easterbrooks, 2010) receptive test of 26 grammatical structures of English print for use with children who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH). Reliability and validity data were collected for 98 participants (49 DHH and 49 hearing) in Grades 2-6. The objectives were to: (a) examine 4-week test-retest reliability data; and (b) provide evidence of known-groups validity by examining expected differences between the groups on the CWG vocabulary pretest and main test, as well as selected structures. Results indicated excellent test-retest reliability estimates for CWG test scores. DHH participants performed statistically significantly lower on the CWG vocabulary pretest and main test than the hearing participants. Significantly lower performance by DHH participants on most expected grammatical structures (e.g., basic sentence patterns, auxiliary "be" singular/plural forms, tense, comparatives, and complementation) also provided known groups evidence. Overall, the findings of this study showed strong evidence of the reliability of scores and known group-based validity of inferences made from the CWG.

Theory, Research, and Practice for Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing With Disabilities: Addressing the Challenges from Birth to Postsecondary Education.

Students who are deaf with a disability or disabilities (DWD) constitute nearly half of the population of K-12 learners who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, there is a dearth of information on theory, research, and practice related to these learners. The authors present an overview of (a) how the field of education of students who are D/deaf and hard of hearing might refer to this unique population in a way that represents the learner, not the disability; (b) the demographic data that further define these learners; (c) a theoretical framework within which to guide research and practice; (d) prevalence and frequency of the existing research; and (e) the practices and resources available to guide practitioners and the parents of students who are DWD. Questions are posed to the field on how to continue to improve the theory, research, and pedagogy used with these students.

Technology intervention research with deaf and hard of hearing learners: levels of evidence.

The authors evaluated the research base relative to technology use with deaf and hard of hearing students, examining 29 peer-reviewed studies published January 2000-August 2013 that used technology-based intervention (multimedia instructional applications/software) and investigating its effects on academic variables (academic skills used in instructional settings). They then evaluated the studies according to quality indicators for evidence-based research, both individually and as a body of evidence supporting intervention for deaf and hard of hearing students (Gersten et al., 2005; Horner et al., 2005; Institute of Education Sciences, 2013; Kratochwill et al., 2010, 2013). One of 24 group design studies met all Essential Quality Indicators; 3 of 5 single-case design studies did (Horner et al., 2005). No reviewed technology intervention met criteria for an established evidence base. Interventions are presented across technology types and academic areas to facilitate discussion of implications for researchers and practitioners.

Grammar structures and deaf and hard of hearing students: a review of past performance and a report of new findings.

Results of a study are presented that suggest the grammatical structures of English some deaf and hard of hearing students struggle to acquire. A review of the literature from the past 40 years is presented, exploring particular lexical and morphosyntactic areas in which deaf and hard of hearing children have traditionally exhibited difficulty. Twenty-six participants from an urban day school for the deaf used the LanguageLinks software, produced by Laureate Learning Systems, for 10 minutes daily for 9 weeks. The descriptive analysis of the results expands on findings reported by Cannon, Easterbrooks, Gagne, and Beal-Alvarez (2011). The results indicated that many participants struggled with regular noun singular/plural; accusative first- and second-person singular; noun/verb agreement copular "be"; accusative third-person number/ gender; locative pronominals; auxiliary "be"/regular past "-ed;" and prenominal determiners plural.

Improving DHH students' grammar through an individualized software program.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the frequent use of a targeted, computer software grammar instruction program, used as an individualized classroom activity, would influence the comprehension of morphosyntax structures (determiners, tense, and complementizers) in deaf/hard-of-hearing (DHH) participants who use American Sign Language (ASL). Twenty-six students from an urban day school for the deaf participated in this study. Two hierarchical linear modeling growth curve analyses showed that the influence of LanguageLinks: Syntax Assessment and Intervention (LL) resulted in statistically significant gains in participants' comprehension of morphosyntax structures. Two dependent t tests revealed statistically significant results between the pre- and postintervention assessments on the Diagnostic Evaluation of Language Variation-Norm Referenced. The daily use of LL increased the morphosyntax comprehension of the participants in this study and may be a promising practice for DHH students who use ASL.