*Information on this page was originally developed by a team that created a website for families focused on "raising deaf kids." For more information, see
About Us. Minor edits may have been made.
Raising a child brings a diverse range of experiences to a parent throughout the years: Successes, disappointments, surprises, and more successes.
- The struggles, the efforts and the sacrifices all lead towards the same universal goal: To raise a child so that he may one day become an independent adult and capable of enjoying a happy life.
- It is important for families to encourage the child to be independent!
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing, just like all the boys and girls around the world:
- Think
- Feel
- Eat
- Play
- Run
- Get angry
- Go through difficult times
- Graduate from university
- Drive
- Work
- Get married
- Have children, etc.
It is very important for every child to know what their parents think of them, what their parents expect from them, and above all, they like to know that they can rely on their parents' support. They count on that support in order to face the world, to grow and to develop to their full potential.
We know that it is not easy to raise a child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
Each day is a challenge. Sometimes many parents who want to protect their children, tend to care for them a bit too much. That is, they overprotect them. Parents who overprotect may also try to isolate their children from things and from other people. We see this when we hear parents talking about their deaf children as if they were talking about a "poor kid," and then they say things such as:
- "Poor little one… because he is deaf he does not behave."
- "poor kid… because she is deaf she cannot learn math."
- "I have to do everything for him ... because he is deaf, he cannot dress himself"
However, these kinds of comments only make other people think that we, as parents, believe that our children cannot succeed without our help.
- Reality is different.
- There are lawyers, pilots, doctors, and nurses who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- In this same way, your child can succeed if you give him the chance to show it to you.
Neighbors, relatives, and friends, sometimes also talk about your child in the same way: "poor child", "she is handicapped", etc.
- Explain to your relatives and neighbors that your child is deaf or hard of hearing – he or she may not hear as well as others, but he or she can do anything as long as other people do not close the doors or block his or her way.
- Tell your neighbors and relatives about your child's successes in everything he does.
- Talk to them about your child's accomplishments, and about how this process has shown you the importance of good communication and a parent's participation in a child's development.
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing are capable! We want to support these children:
- To be able to get through life on their own.
- To be able to face the world with their own set of tools.
- To be able to accomplish goals and to form a family.
It is true that without a parent or caregiver's help, children would have to face many challenges in order to make it through life.
- However, it is also true that they can make it not only because of their parents' support, but thanks to the teachings they received from their parents.
- We want to: "teach them to fish…not just give them a fish."
There are many ways in which you can teach your child and show him that you trust him:
- Encourage independence. Give him wings and encourage him to go out. Start with something small.
- Assurance and trust are not obtained overnight. They develop through the things we do every day.
- Ask him clearly for one thing at a time (depending on his language level). Send him to run only one errand or chore (not many steps at once if he cannot yet understand many at once).
- Sit down and go over his homework with him. Look for the information together, but do not do the homework for him.
- Instead of reprimanding him for crossing the street inappropriately, show him how he should do it by crossing through the pedestrian walk.
- Remind him that his eyes are his ears, and teach him to be alert to every signal or sign.
- At home, give him chores and responsibilities in the same way you do with his siblings. For instance, ask him to clean up the table, to do the dishes, to take out the garbage, to clean his room, etc.
Put in practice many of the recommendations, and you will see positive results over time.
- We value and remember more those experiences in life when we had to work harder and face challenges.
- Most parents feel that having a child who is deaf adds a lot of richness to their lives.
You and your child will feel relieved and full of success, as little by little, you both overcome challenges. You will stop thinking all the time about what will happen in your child's future:
- Try not to worry about tomorrow; work on the present.
- Each day has its own challenges.
- Have patience.
- Consult a specialist about what else you can do.
- Be optimistic. It is easier to see "the glass half full, rather than half empty." Be positive in your messages to your child.
- Show him that you trust him or her, and that you know that he or she CAN DO everything.
- Think about your child as having the same needs as those of other children. He or she needs to play, to express himself or herself, to have fun, to learn and to be happy.
