Peer Issues
Peers are important to deaf children at mainstream schools. A mix of deaf and hearing friends gives a child the best of both worlds, if they want.
For the child, it helps to know other children have hearing-aids or cochlear implants, especially as they realise that not everyone has hearing issues.
As the child grows, they benefit from knowing how other deaf children handle issues that may seem unique to themselves & build positive identity.
Contact with other deaf children can be made with parents you meet through family services, mother & toddler groups or residential weekends.
Childrens’ and teenagers’ activities and summer camps are another way for your child to meet and have friendships with other deaf teenagers.
At school, teaching your child’s classmates about deafness is a big help. For young children, try books like “Oliver Gets Hearing-Aids“ or similar.
Older children will benefit from Helen Keller’s book, or learning how the inventions of Alexander Graham Bell and Vinton Cerf led to the Internet.
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Please send all feedback to info@irishdeafkids.ie .