*This page includes contributions from both the babyhearing.org team and the team that developed a website for families focused on ‘raising deaf kids.’ For more information, see
About Us.
Sometimes, young children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) have developmental needs beyond hearing, such as vision impairment, cognitive delays, autism, or motor or balance challenges.
If your child has other disabilities in addition to being deaf or hard of hearing, you may feel overwhelmed. You might feel like your child is the only one in this situation. Maybe you find it hard to accept that your child has other problems. You're not alone. It is estimated that 30% to 40% of all children who are deaf or hard of hearing have other disabilities. It is important to address the multiple needs of the child.
Love your child for who he is
It may be hard to accept that your child has multiple needs. It is helpful to love your child for who he is. If you do, he will learn to love himself, too.
All children are different
Children with other disabilities are all different. They have different kinds of disabilities. They work at different levels, and they learn in different ways. No one can say what your child can or can't do.
Work with your educational team to identify and address additional needs
Depending on the age of your child, your IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) or IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) team will work with you to address
- how the disability impacts development
- what adaptations and adjustments are needed to meet the child's needs
- how your child's education can be individualized
Types of Additional Special Needs or Disabilities
In the following section, information is provided about disabilities that your child may have in addition to being deaf or hard of hearing. For each entry, you will find a description of the disability taken from a National resource and a links to other resources.
Please note: The list of resources is not exhaustive, and the inclusion of a resource does not imply endorsement.
What is ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder)?
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Learn more about treating ADHD at
What is ADHD? | CDC
Other Resources
National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-in-children-and-teens-what-you-need-to-know
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
https://screening.mhanational.org/content/children-and-adults-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-chadd-resource-directory/
What is Apraxia?
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/apraxia-speech
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Childhood-Apraxia-of-Speech/
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/apraxia-speech
Other Resources
Apraxia Kids
http://www.apraxia-kids.org/
Child Apraxia Treatment: Once Upon a Time Foundation
https://www.childapraxiatreatment.org/
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/autism-spectrum-disorder-communication-problems-children
Other Resources
Autism Speaks
https://www.autismspeaks.org/
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Augmentative-and-Alternative Communication
https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/professional-issues/augmentative-and-alternative-communication/#collapse_2
The Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders' autism guide for parents Floor Time
http://icdl.com/forparentsbyparents/toc.htm
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html
Other Resources
United Cerebral Palsy Association
https://ucp.org/
CPF - Cerebral Palsy Foundation
https://www.yourcpf.org
https://med.virginia.edu/pediatrics/clinical-and-patient-services/patient-tutorials/cerebral-palsy
What is Anxiety and Depression?
Anxiety and Depression in Children | CDC
Anxiety and Depression in Children | CDC
Other Resources
National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/
Childhood Depression | Anxiety and Depression Association
https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/childhood-depression
Treatment for depression in young children | National Institutes of Health
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/treatment-depression-young-children
What is Bipolar Disorder?
National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder
American Psychiatric Association
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/bipolar-disorders/what-are-bipolar-disorders
Childhood Depression | Anxiety and Depression Association
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-disorder-children-and-teens
Other Resources
DBSA - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
https://www.dbsalliance.org
What is Learning Disability?
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/learning-disorder.html
National Institute for Learning Development
https://nild.org/resources/ld-warning-signs-checklist-for-children-ages-8
Other Resources
International Dyslexia Association
https://dyslexiaida.org/
Learning Disability Association of America
https://ldaamerica.org/
National Center for Learning Disorders
https://www.ncld.org/
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
Other Resources
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: When Unwanted Thoughts Take Over: A brochure that offers basic information about OCD, including signs and symptoms, treatment, and finding help. Also available en Español.
NIMH » Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: When Unwanted Thoughts or Repetitive Behaviors Take Over (nih.gov)
What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/behavior.html
Other Resources
Pediatric Psychiatry Pamphlet about ODD
https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/resource_centers/odd/odd_resource_center_odd_guide.pdf
Positive Parent Tips for Young Children
https://www.cdc.gov/parents/essentials/index.html
Positive Parenting Tips
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/
What is Tourette Syndrome?
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/facts.html
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7783/tourette-syndrome
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/documents/tics-and-tourette-fact-sheet-final.pdf
Other Resources
Tourette Syndrome Association of America
https://tourette.org/
KidsHealth's page on Tourette syndrome (http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/tourette.html)
What is User Syndrome?
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/usher-syndrome
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/usher-syndrome
Other Resources
https://www.asha.org/Articles/Understanding-Usher-Syndrome/
American Association of The Deaf Blind http://www.aadb.org/
National Deaf-Blind Association
http://www.nationaldb.org/
Heller Keller
https://www.helenkeller.org/hknc/usher-syndrome
Finding Support
You may have trouble finding people who know all about being deaf or hard of hearing and your child's other disabilities. You can find more information on additional services and specialists at: https://www.babyhearing.org/language-learning/additional-services
