Hearing Screening For Newborns Brings Results

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

A pilot scheme in the UK which aims to improve service co-ordination for children with deafness, is expected to be underway by early 2010.
The Local Record of Deaf Children in the UK seeks to improve services and raise awareness of the numbers of young people living with hearing loss. Information will be shared by state [...]

Hands On - November 29th at 12:50pm on RTE 1

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

Every week, two deaf babies are born in Ireland. When a child is diagnosed as being deaf, parents must make decisions about what is best for their education, communication, language acquisition, social skills and identity.
This can be a difficult process, one that many parents report can be made harder by a lack of information and [...]

Cochlear Implants Boost Childrens’ Early Learning

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

The development of deaf children fitted with a cochlear implant is being profiled in a study at Malaga University, headed by Ignacio Moreno-Torres.
Three months after receiving an implant, all children profiled could recognise sounds in their immediate environment.  Social and family factors were also analysed in the study for a more in-depth result.
Children become used [...]

“My Brother John” - Teaching Kids About Deafness

Monday, April 6th, 2009

Almost exactly a year ago, IDK posted a piece about explaining deafness in concept books for children - which also educate teachers and other adults!
One of these books, My Brother John (published May 2008), introduces deafness, hearing aids, cochlear implants & sign language in a single story.
The story, told from the perspective of John’s sister, [...]

Gaps In UK Support Services Identified By NDCS

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

The NDCS’ Must Do Better! report cover (June 2008) shows a child holding a cat and saying, “When I grow up, I want to be a vet. Will you let me?”
Deafness is not a learning disability, as this report on UK services attests.
Instead, a collaborative approach by parents & teachers is the best response to any [...]

Teaching Deaf Children To Listen And Speak

Friday, June 20th, 2008

Most deaf children with residual hearing can learn to lip-read and speak if hearing assistance and speech therapy is available from a very early age.
This is called the oral approach. For hearing families, the advantages are:

your child can learn the same language that your family uses
your child will use one language for speaking and reading

Free correspondence courses are [...]

Communication Options Chart for Deaf Children

Friday, May 9th, 2008

Communication is a major decision for parents of deaf children, as it will shape their child’s life and prospects from an early age.
The Communications page of this site gives an overview and some tips.
Here’s a chart that defines the options and their long-term commitments.
Note: this chart uses American definitions. For Irish parents, the American Sign Language (ASL) and Oral columns may [...]

Irish Deaf Kids Forum Goes Live

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

The Irish Deaf Kids forum has just gone live at forum.irishdeafkids.ie
Forum visitors can read posts, but must register to post their own content.
The forum’s step-by-step instructions will help you register and get posting.
Ask questions, network with other parents or share tips - anything goes …