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Because You Aren't Crazy Enough
The New York Times Magazine has a piece today about something that caused a bit of outrage to percolate in my mind a few months ago. A friend (who was doing some research on other matters) mentioned the LENA system of baby language development analysis.
At the time, even the web site looked beyond humorous. LENA is a system that requires one purchase a recording device (to record all of the noises- conversational sounding or not- your baby emits) and special clothing to contain the device your baby will wear to contain the recording device. The web site is full of the sorts of scare tactics that make me prickle: DO this or you won't know your child is autistic! Do this so you can make sure your child is "on target"!
I'm as angsty as the next parent and I like outside confirmation that I'm OK, my kids are OK, everything is OK, but really. Really. Are people such shut-ins that they never get any external confirmation that their babies are chugging along appropriately? How much reassurance are you going to get from figuring out how to use a device, forcing the kid to wear it and fussing over it until it coughs up the message that you're safely in a "normal" range?
Pardon me if this just seems like a cynical way to get $400 out of people who could better spend that cash on a little bit of fun.
posted by Elise at 6:54 AM
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The best part is, this $400 device was invented after a researcher read that children of low-income parents receive significantly less verbal stimulation than do wealthier children, causing language delays.
2/25/2008 4:53 PM
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