DEAF CHILDREN IN HEARING FAMLIES

BY KELLY EDWARDSDEAF CULTURE

PROFESSOR DONALD HASTINGSPresented APRIL 11, 2012

Parental Expectations

HEALTHY BABY BOY OR GIRL NORMAL

BONDING EXPERIENCE

BABY WILL LOOK LIKE/BE LIKE MOM AND DAD

Not Like Us

BORN DEAF BORN HARD OF HEARING

1 in every 1,000 babies are born Deaf.

6 of every 1,000 are born with some degree of hearing loss.

Permanent hearing loss at birth annually affects 24,000 infants in the USA; that is, 6 infants per 1,000 will have a hearing loss in at least one ear that will affect communication, cognition, and educational development. (National Institute of Health)

MY CHILD IS DEAF, SO WHAT DO I DO NOW?

I will cry. I will be angry. I will look for

answers as to “why” my child is Deaf.

I will blame myself for my child’s hearing loss.

I will cry again. I won’t know

where to turn for help.

I will feel inadequate.

I probably won’t learn sign language.

(Because only 23% of parents with Deaf children

do!)(Gallaudet Research-www.Gallaudet.edu ‘Substance Abuse: A Hidden Problem

Within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities’)

BUT…

The Process Begins

Health Professional An Audiologist An ENT Service Coordinator Speech and Language

Pathologist Teacher of the Deaf Possibly a regular classroom

teacher

Choices Hearing Aids Cochlear Implants Hearing/Oral schools State/Deaf schools Main streaming ASL PSE SEE No sign language

Oddly enough, there are books and television shows about teaching a hearing child to sign, but what about Deaf children?

Deaf Children are mainstreamed into hearing schools and some are never taught a signed language.

This typically adds to the anger and isolation that Deaf individuals already feel.

The Deaf Child’s Struggles

Communication Family

acceptance Peer acceptance Self acceptance Frustration Anger Isolation Depression

A study done by Gallaudet University

Suggests that ONE OUT OF SEVEN

Deaf and Hard of Hearing will become

addicted to drugs or alcohol!

That is 30% higher than individuals

That can hear!How to cope?

Learning that your child is handicapped, whether this knowledge comes at birth or at some later date, is one of the most stressful of family experiences. As Howard (1978) noted, “Instead of appreciating the baby’s abilities, the family will see instead evidence of his deficiencies…each member of this unit, including the handicapped child , influences marital quality and family interaction” (Educational and Developmental aspects of Deafness, Donald F. Moores; Gallaudet University Press, 1990) BUT..

When Parents Learn to Sign…

Deaf children are able to communicateThe Deaf child feels more safe and secureThe child’s needs are more readily metThe parent/child bond is made strongerDeaf children feel more accepted not only at home, but in general.

(Gallaudet Research www.Gallaudet.edu)

When Siblings Learn to Sign

They argue lessEveryone can communicate exactly what they are feelingThe Deaf child is healthier

emotionally, physically and psychologically The Deaf child feels safe and

secure

My family knew that I was Deaf, When I was only three,And since then, 15 years agoHave never signed to me.

I know when I’m around the house,I try and use my voice,It makes them feel more comfortable;For me, I have no choice.

I try to communicate their way,Uncomfortable for me.My parent’s wouldn’t learn to signAshamed or apathy?

I never cared about the sound of radios and band;What hurts me is, I never heard

My parent’s signing hands.

YouTube http;//www.youtube.com/user/4jsabc

Thoughts of a Deaf Child

Working Bibliography

Dan Reveal, 3/20/2012, Ways to Encourage Others to Use Sign Language

Gallaudet Research, Debra Guthmann, Substance abuse: A Hidden Problem Within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing World, Gallaudet Press

Alone in a Hearing World, Laura LeKouiez

Personal Experience