New book from Glen Cove resident promotes acceptance

In her 20 years as an audiologist at Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf, Glen Cove resident Dr. Tanya Linzalone has seen first-hand the emotional toll families face while caring for a child with hearing difficulties. They often worry about their child’s communication skills, and are deeply concerned their child will enjoy fewer opportunities in life.

Knowing the books children read in their formative years can shape young minds unlike anything else, Linzalone published “A Spot Under the Sun,” a children’s book that aims to help the hearing loss community look brightly into the future. “I’ve always told them, whatever the hearing loss is, and whatever it is that might come our way down the path, just continue to love your baby,” Linzalone said. “Just continue to see what a beautiful baby that you have, and with time, patience, therapy, amplification, whatever they decide, they will get to uncover the beauty that is internal in that baby.”

Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf was established in 1951 to help deaf children unlock their potential through education. It promotes confidence and independence through specially designed educational and vocational programs. Although the school incorporates modifications for students such as in-class microphones, and other assisted technology, the school operates like any other district educating students from pre-K to grade 12.

Hearing difficulties are common. In 2021, the National Institute of Health reported that two to three of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears. More than 90 percent of deaf children are born to hearing parents.

Approximately 15 percent of American adults aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing.

The inspiration for the 22-page picture book came during what Linzalone said was a dark period in her life over 20 years ago, when she was a newly divorced mother caring for two young children. She remembers the moment when her oldest son Frank, an elementary-aged student at the time, came running to her with an epiphany.

“I know why you call me son,” Linzalone recalled. “It’s because I’m shiny and bright.”
Linzalone knew her son’s statement was simple but realized the complexity behind his words. She instantly saw the connection with the children she helped care for, and the seed of her story was planted. Her story further developed as she worked with children during her tenure.

“I find complete joy in working with children, it’s a reward that I can’t explain it to words,” Linzalone said. “They’re nonjudgmental, they’re pure, they’re just innocent, and they’re gifts. Every package is wrapped differently, and what a wonderful thing when you unwrap that package, and you see what’s inside.”

Leslie Matthews, a speech-language pathologist in Mill Neck’s parent-infant program, said she was impressed that Linzalone had the time to write such a profound book and remain heavily involved with her responsibilities at the school.

“She’s just a great mentor, whether it’s with her colleagues, or the compassion that she has with her families,” Matthews said. “This book is really like her baby, and it speaks as who she is.”

Although the book is targeted toward children aged 4 to 11, its message is universal. Teachers like pre-K educator Patricia Leone simplify the language of the book in a way her students can connect with. As a teacher with students who use American Sign Language and spoken language, she notices that inclusion of important characters in children’s books often goes unnoticed.

“It’s a very beautiful concept,” Leone said. “My class can also really identify with the fact that they are deaf, they have hearing aids. One little girl has a family member who is in a wheelchair, so she very much identified with that picture. There are so many beautiful connections for the children to make in the book, It’s lovely.”

Linzalone will have a book signing on July 30, from 2-4 p.m. at Mill Neck Manor House, at 40 Frost Mill Road, in Mill Neck.