“I wish I had this extra support the whole
quickly picked up more sign language. For the first time, Garrett had access to an ASL interpreter in the classroom, watching both the teacher and then the interpreter when he missed certain information or needed clarification. "I wish I had this extra support the whole time (starting from Kindergarten)", he admits. Garrett continues to do well in school, getting much more out of his education at this program setting. He is not involved in extracurricular activities and wishes for such a club that focuses on Art, his primary interest. However, he enjoys his Advanced Art class. He wants to attend a four -year college to study Digital Art, hopefully at the Rochester Institute of Technology, the top college on his list. RIT houses the National Technical Institute for the Deaf that encompasses one thousand three hundred deaf and hard of hearing students on a campus of fifteen thousand hearing students. Garrett credits his success and happiness to his parents and stepparents who have been
Deaf Teens
Erika Thompson
time.”
supportive of him, and to ASL for extra clarification, and to his social interactions and friendships. Most of his friends are deaf peers with whom he is the most comfortable. At his former school where he was the only deaf student, Garrett had no friends, in spite of having clear speech and lipreading abilities. He was isolated. "Professionals have not understood that having deaf students around, communication -like deaf peers with whom he could interact, was important for his social-emotional environment and growth”, explained principal Jon Levy of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program. Now Garrett likes mingling among hearing peers and interacting closely with his deaf friends during class breaks and lunchtime. He feels accepted here. He also attends school dances and football games, enjoying the high school scene, which is new to him. Garrett's mother is thrilled for him. "Upon arrival (at these events), my son eagerly took off to see his friends . . . That had never happened before."
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