47 pages 1 hour read

Thomas S Spradley

Deaf Like Me

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | YA | Published in 1985

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Before You Read

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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.

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

RecommendedReading Age

12+years

Book Details

Topics

Disability

Education

Health / Medicine

Themes

Identity: Language

Relationships: Family

Genre

Children's Literature

Education

Biography