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Communication can be challenging for many children,
who are deaf and hard of hearing, in the home.
These tips and strategies will help you create
a home environment that is conducive to children,
who are deaf and hard of hearing, regardless of how
you communicate with them.
Hearing children learn language naturally by listening
and overhearing conversations around them.
For our children, who are deaf and hard of hearing,
this can be very challenging for them
especially without visual language support.
They miss out on family interaction.
For example, meal time, play time, car rides, etc.,
that often leads to feelings of isolation and inadequacy.
One of the major impacts on effective communication
is how the room is lit.
Robin: Move away from the background light.
Hearing children are able to pick up and learn language
by overhearing what other people
around them are talking about.
This is a real challenge for our little ones,
because there are multiple conversations
and background noises going on at the same time.
Robin: They can feel frustrated, lost, isolated,
and even tired from trying to keep up
and figure out what's going on around them.
Some of the ways that we can help minimize that
and increase their ability to pick up language
around them is to make sure that we have
your child's attention. Make sure that they're facing you
while you talking with them.
What should we do now, you guys?
How about if we read...
You couldn't hear me. Do you want to read a story?
Robin: Don't stand over them. Get down to their level.
[Crying] Are you okay?
Provide visual access to sign,
gestures, facial expression at all times.
Reduced background noise.
[Loud noise] Sonny. [Loud noise]
[No background noise] Sonny, do you want to go?
[Spanish]
Robin: Make sure that your child has a good view
of everyone.
[Spanish]
If you have a round table or an oval table,
that really improves the visibility of everyone.
Robin: The L-shaped couches or the U-shaped couches
are optimal for easy visual access to communication.
If there are centerpieces on the table,
move them out of the child's line of vision.
"Okay. Can you move the centerpiece?
Thank you.Thanks."
"I love burritos. It's my favorite dinner."
"You can't see me, can you can? Yah.
I don't think you can.
Now you can see me, yah."
If you need to get up from being at the table,
or if you are on the couch,
or if you're playing with your child on the floor,
for whatever reason, whether the doorbell rings,
or the phone rings, or the oven timer beeps,
tell your child what's happening,
and why you need to leave.
[Spanish]
"I heard it was $2.00 to rent skis,
which is a really good deal."
"Yes, but do we need a pass?"
"You know, I'm not really sure. Oh, hold on, hold on.
Excuse me. Just got to run to the bathroom."
"Remember that time when I was skiing,
I went down the slope like this?"
"Oh, I do. I do. That was really cool!"
[Spanish]
During story time, it is really important
that you and your child have
good, visual position with each other.
"Look, the panda is mad."
Robin: Make sure that your child can see your face.
"Look, look at the bird's feathers.
This is the bird's feathers. Like this feathers."
Make sure that you're interacting with the book.
Robin: When you're watching TV, make sure
that your closed captions are on at all times,
no matter how old the child is.
This helps with literacy skill development
and feeling included.
Appropriate attention getting techniques are critical.
"You're going to the Denver museum?"
"Yes. Um-hum. Yes. Taking a field trip on Wednesday."
"Are you making a Valentine's Day box
for your class this year? You're not?
Well, what are you going to do for the special day?"
"Um-hum, um-hum. Their friend told me."
"Mom. Mom. Mom. What are you talking about?"
"Eat. Eat."
A variety of different alert systems,
they provide visual and tactile support
in addition to promoting independence.
Robin: There are flashing lights for the doorbell,
for the alarm clock, for the smoke alarm, fire alarm.
Another technology that's available to individuals,
who are deaf or hard of hearing, is known
as the video phone or the VP.
"Hello, there."
"Hi, there."
"I'm Cindy, and I need to see HR.
When can I get an appointment?"
"Okay, just need to check my schedule. Hold on."
These tips are not comprehensive,
but hopefully will help you become more aware
of your home environment,
so that you can best support your child.
These strategies will help your child
feel more fully included within the family in the home
which also translates into a healthier self-esteem,
improved social skills, and stronger family relationships.
Thank you.