How to Help a Hearing-Impaired Child in the Classroom

Look directly at the hearing-impaired child to help him understand.

Hearing-impaired or deaf children can be overlooked in the classroom because their handicap is invisible and easy to forget about. Teachers should structure a class with a hearing-impaired child to optimize learning for him and everyone else in class. If the child has a interpreter, allow the interpreter to stand near the teacher so the child can read the teacher's face and the interpreter's sign language.

Instructions

1. Meet with the parents and learn information about the child. If he has been evaluated by an audiologist, speech pathologist or pediatric doctor, find out what these evaluations have shown and what needs the child has in the classroom. Find out if he is attentive, how well he can communicate with other people and if he can speak.

2. Speak slowly and directly to the student if he lip reads. Have him sit at the front of the classroom. Don't overexaggerate or shout.

3. Obtain an interpreter for the student if he needs one. Most school districts employ interpreters. Face the student when speaking instead of the interpreter. The interpreter might be distracting at first but the teacher and students will become accustomed to it. Advise the other students not to pay attention to the interpreter. Give the interpreter written outlines of the class sessions in advance, so he can practice the signs and understand the vocabulary to use. The student should ask the teacher questions about the lesson rather than asking the interpreter.

4. Give the hearing-impaired child written material with sentences that are short and easy to read, and not ponderous with large vocabulary words. Hearing-impaired children don't always have as large a vocabulary as hearing children because there aren't as many synonyms in sign language. Use simple conjunctions such as "but, so, for, and" instead of longer ones like "consequence, although, nevertheless." Write the meaning of the concept clearly and use new terms several times.

5. Ask the other children in class for help. This will make them feel inclusive of the hearing-impaired child. Remind them to be patient and listen carefully if the hearing-impaired child is trying to make himself understood. A supportive environment will help everyone in class to engage in learning.

6. Ask the hearing-impaired student to give you feedback on his comprehension in class and if he's understanding everything.

References

• West Virginia University; Strategies for Teaching Students with Hearing Impairments; Ed Keller; April 2005
• Scholastic; Source Early Childhood Today We are your early childhood teaching partner! Find ideas for activities and lessons, expert advice, teaching tips, and much more! Working With the Hearing Impaired Child; Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D.; May 2003