How to Teach a Deaf Child to Communicate

Many emotions and questions go through parents' minds when they find out that their child is deaf, but one of the first things most worry about is communication. They wonder how they will talk to their child. Understanding the basics of how to teach a deaf child to communicate can help reduce some of the stress that parents feel during this difficult time. Read on to learn how to teach a deaf child to communicate.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Realize that a deaf child's other senses will naturally go into overdrive to compensate for his lack of hearing. For example, deaf children are much more aware of visual cues such as hand motions or facial expressions. This will help your child a great deal when you begin to work on communication.
2. Know that even if you find out about your child's deafness when he is a toddler or later, it is never too late to communicate with your child. Children who have been unable to convey their wants and feelings are very anxious and ready to learn to speak to the people in their life. They quickly pick up any method that is available to them.
3. Learn American Sign Language by obtaining a simple book of signs or finding ASL sites on the Internet. Begin with very simple signs and gestures. Words for family, common needs and daily objects or activities will go a long way. Good words to teach first are: mom, dad, eat, drink, all done, more, hot, happy, sad, sorry and please.
4. Begin using signs every time you do something or want to communicate something to your child. You don't have to be fluent in ASL to do this. Just add the signs you know as you go about your daily activities. Your child will watch you carefully and them up quickly.
5. Watch for your child to begin using signs. Keep in mind that a child's signs can be similar to a young child's speech--it may be a little different from what you have modeled. Remember that the important thing is that you are communicating. It is not important that your child do the signs perfectly.
6. Continue to add signs each day and as you encounter more activities or objects that your child needs to know the words for. Keep building your own vocabulary so that you can stay ahead of your child and provide the words that she needs to talk about her world.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to connect with other parents or caregivers of deaf children so that you can help each other learn to sign and share resources and ideas.
• Once a child realizes that he can use his hands to communicate, he may begin to create his own signs. You should encourage this, though you may want to model the correct sign as well. Remember, the point at first is to communicate by whatever means works for the two of you.