SPONS AGENCY Bureau of Education for the Handicapped ADHEW/OE),

The author reviews studies and programs in consideration of problems and issues professionals face in the early education of aurally handicapped children-..Language handicaps as an obstacle to development of thd child's academic, intellectual, apd social potential are examined; as is parental need for supportive guidance. Discussed are studies which show effectiveness of oral and neo-oral (Rochester) communications methods in preschool programs in the U.S..,and the Soviet Union. _ Investigations are reviewed which sjiow that deaf children of deaf parents achieve greater academic success than deaf children of hearing parents, although the point is made that use of manual communication in preschool programs might not produce similar success. _ Discussed in relaiion- to the issue of early intervention are preschool programs emphasing either socialization or cognitive development..Unimpdal and bimodal stimulation ar