Vlog Summary: The holidays often mean families, and the words we use to describe our family relationships say a lot. Some families make a point of distinguishing between their biological children and their adopted children or their foster children. Even sisters and brothers may emphasize that so-and-so is a full sibling, while another family member is a half sibling. Sharon Duchesneau considers the impact of making such distinctions and the potential for creating feelings of not belonging or being second-class. Constantly identifying members of the Deaf community as Deaf-of-Deaf (DOD) or Deaf-of-Hearing (DOH), for example, does little to contribute to the feeling of family within the community, particularly when there is no real reason to make the distinction (i.e., no research-based need). Likewise, in families, simply identifying one’s children as children and siblings as siblings can go a long way in fostering feelings of acceptance and belonging.

To cite: Duchesneau, S. (2007, December 22). In with Family, Out with Steps, Halves, & Adoptees. ASC on the Couch. Retrieved (date retrieved), from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=332

Vlog Summary: The past week has seen a heated debate over the issue of
deficit thinking, with many vlogs and blogs contributing to a healthy and
thought-provoking discussion. A small, but intriguing, aspect of the
discussion raises the question of what the difference is between “deficit
thinker” and “deficit thinking”? As Candace A. McCullough explains,
“deficit thinker” labels the whole person, while “deficit thinking”
describes the behavior. From a counseling perspective, using the term
“deficit thinking” is more accurate and less condemning of the whole person,
than is the term “deficit thinker”.

To cite:

McCullough, C. (2007, December 18). Deficit Thinker vs. Deficit Thinking. ASC on the Couch. Retrieved (date retrieved), from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=331