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Few Educationally Relevant Common Doubts

Role of Parents education for Hearing Impaired child
Educational Programmes available for the hearing impaired children
Few Educationally Relevant Common Doubts
Popular controversies in special education

A Few Educationally Relevant Common Doubts of The Parents of Children With Hearing Impairment

Parents in general are often confused about how to raise their children. Parenting is a big responsibility and for those who are keen to do a good job, doubts and queries are part of the game. Parents of a hearing impaired child are no exception. In fact, they have more doubts and worries but mind you they also can have more challenges and more number of happy moments.

The purpose of this interaction is to discuss some of the common doubts parents have been reported to have bumped into suddenly. We intend to answer all your questions or clarify all your doubts. But many a times life is quite complex. There are no straightforward or simple answers to many of our questions. Many a times the answers are so simple that we fail to recognize them. Come then, let us interact and learn to face life in a better way.

Do you have any of these doubts?

Remember, there are many things beyond your control and you can do nothing about it. But there are many more things you CAN do.

I am concerned about my child's education. I want him to be successful educationallay. Where do i begin?
Can my child study?
Will my child speak?
What way education will help my child in his/her future?
Do these children have separate textbooks, curriculum or examination boards?
As A Parent, What Is My Role In Education of My Child With Hearing Impairment
What exactly do I do to ensure educational achievements of my child?
What way is it educationally different to have a hearing impaired child?

1. I am concerned about my child's education. I want him to be successful educationallay. Where do i begin?

Accept and acknowledge following facts.
The meaning of the word success can be different for different individuals, can be different in different context. You define ‘success’ of your child within the framework of the strengths and weaknesses of your child. Don't have unattainable goals but more importantly don't underestimate you child.

Success can depend on several factors. Involvement of parents is one of the most important factors. *For more information Click on ‘ROLE OF PARENTS IN EDUCATION’

Tips for beginners: (For those parents who have recently come to know about the impairment of the child.)

Deal with your negative emotions like anger (Why me? Why my child?) helplessness (‘This is the end of happiness! Nothing can go right!’) or fear (What do I do now? What will happen to my child?).

You can do it. Most of the other parents have done it. Don't waste time in blaming anybody for anything. Help yourself pass the phase of negative feelings quickly and positively. Don't pamper your guilt or frustration and don't let it grow.

Pull yourself and face life which has most probably become more challenging and more meaningful. ACCEPT YOUR CHILD AS HE/SHE IS. It is absolutely important, only then your meaningful education that of your child can begin.

Get all the relevant testing done

Try to know most of the important clinical detail's about the nature, degree and type of hearing loss. Discuss it's adverse effects on the child's development and what you can do to prevent them. Ask queries and clear your doubts with the professionals with whom you are in contact. He/she can be a special teacher, an audiologist or a speech therapist.

Talk to your child constantly

It will help him/her develop speaking skills. It will also help him/her psychologically and will keep him/her in touch with the world around. Communication is also important for the sense of security and belonging which are primary needs of any family.

Work at home

Don't leave education to the teachers or schools. You have a prime role to play in your child's education. Understand and acknowledge it. Various activities can help in the development across of your child:
Involve your child in routine household activities.
- Read story books to the child
- Take up activities for independent reading/writing.
Play games especially like playing cards, ludo, scrabble, snakes and ladder etc which make the child think and communicate.
- Take studies regularly
- Help your child to make friends and socialize.
Monitor your child's progress. If you don't find it satisfactory try other options, discuss with professionals and increase your qualitative and quantitative involvement.

The Actual educational plan can vary from individual to individual. Your child's present age, nature/type of hearing loss, his/her previous educational experience etc. are various details we would like to have before we suggest anything. But, inspite of these details there are things you have to know:

For any human child education is important. A hearing impaired child is no exception. In fact for him, education on is not only important but it is ESSENTIAL. Don't let your hearing impaired child be untouched by education. He/she must go to school. There are various types of educational programmes available for a hearing impaired child. Click on EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES for more details.
Earlier the better: Education for a non impaired child may begin after the third birthday but for a hearing impaired child, education of the child and his parents may begin months before that. Here, the goal of education is not only the fullest development of potential but is also to protect the child from adverse effects of hearing loss especially in the areas of psychological and communication development.
Literacy forms the backbone of formal education. Educational achievements of your child heavily depend on his/her reading/writing skills. Put in special efforts to develop good reading /writing skills. Textbooks serve the purpose very well. But these are tuned to non-impaired children's educational needs. These focus knowledge assuming that the child knows language. With the hearing impaired child one must work hard not only for knowledge goals but also for language goals. Therefore use plenty of reading material apart from the textbooks. These can include newspapers, magazines, story books, menu cards, visiting cards, manuals of toys/games/household objects, leaflets distributed on roads, letters received by you etc. These are a few of the things you can do. Once you start many more ideas will come your way. Do you still have the question ‘Where to begin’? we have given you plenty of options. As far as the question ‘WHEN to begin?’ we have only one answer to give – NOW!

2. Can my child study?

Of course he/she can! if your child has additional impairment then he needs to undergo several other tests and you will have to set your goals differently. Otherwise our response to your question can be ‘why can't he/she study?’ There are several types of adverse effects of hearing loss. The primary and the worst among these are it's effects on development of speech and language. The problems of communication especially with speaking and listening (understanding ) are so obvious and visible that it gives the impression that the child is unable to do many things which he/she can actually do. Studying is one of these things. There are various educational programmes available for the hearing impaired children. (click on ‘Educational Programmes’ for more details). Appropriate option has to be selected by parents and professionals.

There can be various shades of this question which are: