COMMUNICATION OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH HEARING LOSS

  Listening and Speaking Total Communication Sign Language
Definition Children learn to listen with digital devices (e.g. hearing aid) and one-on-one teaching to use their residual hearing. Using multiple ways to communicate with a child e.g. signing, gestures, speech-reading, body language, oral speech and hearing-device use. Manual language distinct from spoken language (sign language does not use spoken-language grammar or syntax).

e.g. Irish Sign Language (ISL)
Primary Goals To develop speech with hearing devices, and to teach communication skills for the hearing world. To teach vocabulary and language at a multi-sensory level. To be the child’s primary language.
Offered at ARC? Yes – using auditory verbal techniques.

For maximum results, these techniques should be introduced before the child starts Primary School.

 Yes – ARC therapists are happy to help you use a total communication approach to your child’s language development. No – ARC therapists are not currently trained in Irish Sign Language
Language Development Child learns to use spoken and written language fluently, and understands others through listening rather than visual cues. Child’s simultaneous use of speech and sign is encouraged, with exposure to oral speech, sign, speech-reading and hearing device use. Understanding and expressive language is developed with the use of sign language. Written language is taught as a second language.
Hearing Early, consistent use of hearing aids, implants and/or a FM system is vital and central to the child’s learning. Use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM system is advised for the child to maximise their remaining hearing. Hearing devices are not essential for success with sign language.
Family Responsibility Family are the child’s first teachers. Parents need to build listening and speaking into a child’s routine and playtime, for a spoken language-rich home life. Family learns chosen sign-system for the child to develop their language. Child needs access to adults fluent in sign language to develop sign language as a primary language.
Parent Training Parents learn strategies for speaking and listening (auditory verbal strategies) to use at home, out-and-about, and in crèche/school. Parents sign as they speak to the child (simultaneous communication). To become fluent, sign must be routine in your communication. If parents are not Deaf, intensive sign language education is needed for the family to become fluent.