Table 1.
Deaf participant demographics.
| # | Sex | Deaf Family Members | Cause of Deafness | Age when Diagnosed |
Age of first exposure to ASL* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M | Parents, siblings (4th generation deaf family) |
Genetic | <1 | Birth |
| 2 | F | Parents, siblings (4th generation deaf family) |
Genetic | <1 | Birth |
| 3 | F | Father and siblings, hard of hearing mother |
Genetic | <1 | Birth |
| 4 | F | Parents and other family members |
Genetic | <1 | Birth |
| 5 | F | Parents and others (5th generation deaf family) |
Genetic | <1 | Birth |
| 6 | F | None | Kniest dysplasia | <1 | 1 |
| 7 | M | None | Unknown | <1 | 1 |
| 8 | M | None | Unknown | 1 | 1 |
| 9 | F | None | Unknown | 3.5 | 4 |
| 10 | F | None | Unknown | 1.5 | SEE:3, ASL:5 |
| 11 | M | None | Unknown | <1 | 5 |
| 12 | M | One sibling | Unknown | <1 | 5 |
*
Deaf individuals with deaf parents or older siblings were exposed to ASL at home from birth. For deaf individuals without deaf family members, the age at which they began learning ASL is listed. This usually took place at deaf community centers and deaf schools. SEE=Signed Exact English. All deaf participants used ASL daily as their primary means of communication.