Deaf children are more vulnerable to abuse and mental ill health than their hearing peers and as such access to appropriate social care on a preventative basis is vitally important.
They must be able to partake in social clubs, sports and importantly enough, to be around deaf role models. It is important for deaf children to be encouraged to enhance their education and skills and they must understand that deafness does not mean that they cannot grow up to be successful and happy (success of course being at each persons own perspective on what success and happiness really mean).
This is not to say that mainstream education is iniquitous for deaf children, but we must keep in mind that socialization is essential to a child’s growth and without a common language, socialization is limited.
Deaf children are no different, but the way they communicate can be different. Deaf children can learn to communicate through sign or spoken language, or a combination of both.
Deaf children are therefore taught to speak through the use of hearing aids and speech therapy. Speech therapy takes a long time and the amount of information that a deaf child can receive or convey through therapy is always small.
Hearing impaired children will gain a deeper appreciation of in-group attitudes, values and beliefs of people. They will study the American deaf community as a minority group with distinct social, linguistic and political norms.
Teachers help children learn about the countries of the world and the stars in the sky, famous people from the past and predictions for the future. It is great to teach them math, science, and history, and deaf children must learn why this information matters in their lives
