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My Child Has a Hearing Loss...What Next?
Information and resources for parents of newly diagnosed deaf and hard of hearing children.
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Talking about hearing impairment
By: Renata Bursten, Dragonfly Staff
Give more, not different.
If a child has a hearing impairment, we sometimes slip in to an exaggerated communications mode. We must resist! Speak normally, as exaggerated lip movements are difficult to read. Adult's should instead provide visual cues that accompanies normal speech, without distorting the message with uncommon motions.
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PLAY Tip
Bringing Two Hands Together In The Midline
Look for toys that offer many grasping points like the Nobbly Wobbly, the Winkle, or the Skwish. Place the child on his or her back. Offer the toy to the side of the child, moving the toy slowly towards the child's midline. Alternate sides, concentrating on the weaker side if there is one. Gradually the child will begin reaching out with both hands. This is especially helpful for premature babies, children with hypotonia, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy , and general developmental delays.