What It Means: Deafness is a hearing loss so significant that it affects a child’s ability to understand speech and sounds, even with the use of hearing aids. Deafness may affect learning, language development, and communication in school, but children who are deaf can still thrive with the right support.
How It Might Look in Children:
- Limited or no response to sounds or spoken instructions
- Difficulty developing speech or understanding language
- May rely on sign language, lip reading, or written communication
- Trouble following group discussions or classroom directions
- Uses hearing aids, cochlear implants, or assistive listening devices How the School Can Help:
- Provide sign language support or interpreters if needed
- Use of visual aids and written instructions
- Seating close to the teacher or speaker
- Captioned videos and quiet learning spaces
- Teaching strategies that support clear communication
How I Can Support You:
- Help advocate for communication access and understanding
- Attend IEP or 504 meetings to ensure supports are in place
- Work with teachers to create deaf-friendly classrooms
- Emotional support for children and families adjusting to hearing loss
- Connect families with outside resources and services
Being deaf doesn’t limit a child’s potential — it’s just a different way of hearing the world.
If your child has a hearing loss and needs school support, call or text Laurie at 580–302–0136. You are not alone.