Deaf ChildrenDeaf children don't come with instruction manuals. Thankfully, however, there are plenty of resources available to help parents of these children find the information and support they need.
Deaf children, in many respects, are not all that different from hearing children. They can be fascinated by a passing butterfly . . . devastated by a sudden rainstorm . . . rejoice in digging into a pile of autumn leaves. However, in other respects, hearing-impaired children are definitely distinct from their peers. They have their own way of communicating…their own way of looking at the world . . . and their own way of interacting, both with each other and with the hearing world at large.
Bridging the Cultural Gap Hearing parents may have particular difficulty relating to non-hearing children. Since they do not share the disability, they may have trouble being able to foresee the kinds of challenges their children will face. Smart parents recognize this and seek out resources that can help them bridge the cultural gap with their children.
The Importance of Networking When you are the parent of a deaf child, you quickly learn the value of networking. It can be tremendously educational and edifying to be connected with other parents of hearing-impaired children. You can trade ideas and learn from others how to become a strong advocate for your child. One national network, known as the Key Parent program, promotes better communication, improved education, and an enhanced quality of life for children who are deaf. The Key Parent program even offers training in effective parent-to-parent communication. The program is appropriate for parents of children of any age and any degree of hearing loss. The Key Parent program is an outgrowth of ASCD, an organization dedicated to ensuring that children with a hearing impairment have comprehensive communication access in their communities, schools, and homes. As a result, ASDC partners with parents to improve the day-to-day living and school activities of the deaf.
The raising of deaf children can certainly be a challenge, taxing a parent's resources, time, money, and patience. But as any parent of a deaf child will attest, the rewards of rearing a deaf child far outweigh the negatives. With appropriate support and resources, you can help your deaf child reach his or her full potential and become a productive, well-respected member of both the deaf community and the community at large.
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