Parenting of Deaf Children: Growth through Communication, Family Sharing and Bonding

A mother and father (both deaf themselves) of one deaf and one hard of hearing child share their parenting experiences, with emphasis on effective strategies for family sharing and bonding. The father begins by sharing his experiences growing up as a deaf child of deaf parents. The mother then recounts her childhood experiences as a deaf child of hearing parents. Their reaction to discovering that their first child had a significant hearing loss and their adoption of a deaf toddler are recounted, as are difficulties with professionals over the years, coping with behavioral problems, and their children's successful college experience and adult adjustment. Advice for other parents includes treating the child as an individual, involving the child in everyday communication activities, exposing the child to all kinds of experiences, meeting and interacting with deaf adults in the community, networking with other parents of deaf and hard of hearing children, and becoming involved in the child's school. (DB)