At the most recent Deaf Parents Deaf Children workshop in Derby, all the parents discussed and debated issues relating to being a parent of a deaf child. All the parents present were invited to put forward a list of topics or questions that they wanted to discuss with the rest of the group. We have listed all the discussions from the workshop to allow the conversation to continue online. If you have further advice, questions, resources or information we would love it if you could share this with us in the comments section beneath the discussions. Thanks!
What arrangements do you have for your child’s speech therapy if that is an option for you? Does you child have speech therapy at home or at school?
See full discussion here.
My child (4) has a Level 6 Interpreter at school. Everyone seems to have different views on whether a child should have an interpreter or CSW. Some say that a child of 4 will struggle with the concept of an interpreter and a softer/caring approach of a CSW would be better. What are your views and experiences?
See full discussion here.
How can I help my mainstreamed child make friends and ensure he/she does not get too glued to his/her interpreter at the school?
See full discussion here.
A family explained that they were planning to move south, they wanted to get the statement for their 3 ½ year old child agreed first before moving but it was turned down so they need to appeal.
See full discussion here.
I have started thinking about Secondary Schools for my child, does anyone have any advice regarding statements, schools which would help me?
See full discussion here.
My child’s deaf school does not teach music as a subject, do you think it is important to teach music?
See full discussion here.
Should my child learn Langue des Signes Française (LSF) as well as French at school?
See full discussion here.
My child is four and she does not wear hearing aids at her mainstream school. They don’t seem to benefit her and she always takes them off. We don’t believe in forcing the aids on her though they are always available. What does everyone do re hearing aids, do you encourage/force your child to wear them?
See full discussion here
My child is now learning to read, we have always read books in BSL (British Sign Language), but we now use SSE (Sign Supported English) to teach words, it feels odd! What does everyone do?
See full discussion here.
We are thankful to the following sponsors for making the Derby event possible! Communication ID, Zebra Uno, Lexicon Signstream, The Thorntons Derbyshire Fund and Derbyshire Community Foundation, Rolls Royce, Communication Plus, Arboretum Café, Clarion and ASLI.