My daughter is three years old and has been deaf since birth. How should I teach her to speak, or an I too late. I have a newborn son who's 90℅ deaf and I am wondering if I should teach him now or wait, what should I do.
When my son was hearing impaired, we saw early intervention and they came up with everything - including the daycare he'd go to. It was terrific, because we were lost. There was a speech therapist that visited the center, etc. You need something like this in place, because you have two children and they likely could have different needs.
Your Dr and early intervention professionals should have been discussing this with you when #1 was born.
What do they suggest? Check out your local social services as well.
Well, I'm confused. How does a 3 year old that is deaf communicate with you that she feels sick? That her tummy hurts? Or she has a headache? What about if she's hungry?
Why wouldn't you contact the local school district and find out about early start programs? If they have American Sign Language classes for you?
My friend has a deaf son. The day she found out he was deaf she went and found the sign language translator at the public school system and started lessons. She taught her son from day one. If she was talking to him she used sign language. She taught him signs every single day. By the time he was 3 he was conversing with her using sign language.
I don't mean to be rude or anything M., really, I don't. But you really need to start today with lessons for yourself and your whole family and be teaching these kids every single word out of your mouth.
Your child should already be in the public school system. From the day she turned 3 years old she qualifies for early start programs. I have a friend whose son is partially deaf. The day he turned 3 he started school across town in a special program. That teacher had the kids that have developmental disabilities like your kids. Not just kids with mental retardation or cognitive disabilities but physical ones too. This teacher is trained in many areas and almost every student has their own aid to work one on one with them.
But the time they start kindergarten they are ready for that education level and they are physically and mentally caught up and are able, with their interpreter or aid, to go to school alongside their peers.
It's a government program that every state should have. Check it out and get her enrolled in it today. She needs this so that she can be ready for school in a year and a half. Pre-K next year then starting Kindergarten. Don't set her up to be so far behind the other kids that they keep her in Pre-K for a couple of years then hold her back in Kindergarten too.
She deserves to be learning now. So does the baby.
You have resources M.. They are right there. If your local school district is so small they don't have resources for you then you need to check out surrounding towns. Find a children's hospital and find out what resources they have. Find your nearest deaf community groups. Find out what resources they have.
Where is your child's doctor in all of this? We are not experts in teaching deaf children. You need experts advising you, not a regular mom's forum.
Your child should be receiving support services. Why isn't this happening? If you just don't know what you are doing, then ask the doctor to refer you to an advocate so that you can learn what you need to know to get your children some help!
Please, please teach her sign, and you and your husband should learn too.
Signing and talking are not mutually exclusive. I have a dear friend who was hard of hearing in her teens and became deaf over time. She can lip read and talk and she and her husband learned to sign-- in their 50s! They love it and it's opened up a whole other community of friends for them. Do both!
Hi M.,
Welcome to Mamapedia. Can you let us know what discussions you have already had with your pediatrician and with Early Intervention Services in your area? I'm sure your 3 year old's deafness has been discussed at many doctor's visits. What evaluations has she already had, and what recommendations have you already been given? Surely they didn't leave you all alone and fail to answer questions about whether it's "too late" to teach language skills, right?
Do you already know sign language? Have you joined any support groups for parents of disabled children? What have you done so far?
If you have a second baby with a profound disability, it's absolutely imperative that you work with the medical staff as well as a variety of local services to support both children.
Please update you question by adding more details of what you're already doing.
Also, your question posted 3 times so you may get responses from people who aren't able to ready other responders' answers - just so you know.
i would start right away with the newborn, and work with the 3 yr old as well. talk to the kids pedi, and find any resources in your area that can help you. here we have "head start" a public school program that works with youngsters that have needs. it preps them for school and they get a chance to learn like other children do. check with the pedi, and the school district to find out what can be done now to give the kids the best future possible.
M.,
Welcome to mamapedia.
I'm sorry - but WHERE is your child's audiologist and speech therapist in all of this?
HOW have you been communicating with her over the last 3 years?!
Come on! Really. You expect people to believe that for THREE years - your pediatrician or audiologist hasn't given you information nor referred you to a sign language person? REALLY!?
