My Child has been Assessed as Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Next Steps on the Journey
Being a parent is not always easy. Being a parent of a baby or young child who is deaf or hard of hearing brings new and different experiences. There may be times when you feel a range of powerful emotions – from grief to pride and back again. You are not alone.
For some parents, it may not come as a surprise to learn that their child is deaf or hard of hearing, but for many it is unexpected. Adapting to the new reality of having a child who is deaf or hard of hearing can look different for each individual and family.
If your child has not yet been identified as deaf or hard of hearing, but is still going through the screening process, please find more information here.
Making The Right Decisions
The process of making all of these decisions can feel daunting. Remember that your initial decisions may change over time as you learn more about different options for your child and as you grow together. Raising a child who is deaf or hard of hearing is a journey, and as with any journey, it will have twists and turns along the way.
The search for information to help you make decisions and answer questions usually involves:
- Knowing where you are now (supported by the results of assessments and observations).
- Knowing where you want to go (your goals for your child) and how you are going to try to get there (the Individual Family Service Planning, or IFSP process).
- Regularly evaluating where you are along the way and measuring the development of abilities that show what is working (reassessment).
- Investigating and making adjustments necessary to reach your goals or to set new goals (IFSP review).
What Research Does and Does Not Tell Us
Research tells us that no single communication mode is best for all deaf and hard of hearing children, and that every child is unique. What is clear is that starting intervention early, often by 6 months of age, leads to better language skills regardless of communication mode.
You Are Not Alone
Many parents find it helpful to talk with other parents who also have children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Our Family Support Parents will help you connect to other families.
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