A parent's perspective FEAPDA Inge Doorn What's best for our child?

Introduction Three children Jara is deaf Studied Sociology Working with the FODOK

Three children

Jara is deaf

Studied Sociology

Working with the FODOK

A father?

What's best for our child? Parents have to make a lot of choices, like: Do you use signlanguage? Do you want a Cochlear Implant for your child? What kind of education do you choose? How do you find out what is best for your child? What role do professionals play?

Parents have to make a lot of choices, like:

Do you use signlanguage?

Do you want a Cochlear Implant for your child?

What kind of education do you choose?

How do you find out what is best for your child?

What role do professionals play?

Jara Born after pregnancy of 26 weeks Vulnerable lungs Her physical condition influenced our decisions

Jara

Born after pregnancy of 26 weeks

Vulnerable lungs

Her physical condition influenced our decisions

Deaf, than what? 4 months old Audiologist: special relationship FODOK: booklet

4 months old

Audiologist: special relationship

FODOK: booklet

Family support? Second appointment: list with names of family support services Not used to ask for help So many questions... Yes!

Second appointment: list with names of family support services

Not used to ask for help

So many questions...

Yes!

Family support! 6 to 8 times a year to observe Jara for a quiet chat information about: developing communication, hearing aids, signlanguage, education etc. counseled us emotionally

6 to 8 times a year

to observe Jara

for a quiet chat

information about: developing communication, hearing aids, signlanguage, education etc.

counseled us emotionally

Sign language? Our communication? Would we be able to share our feelings? Would we be able to learn a new language?

Our communication?

Would we be able to share our feelings?

Would we be able to learn a new language?

Sign Language! We followed different courses: a short course for the two of us at home a course for family and friends at home a couple of courses with other parents Family support offered the right solution

We followed different courses:

a short course for the two of us at home

a course for family and friends at home

a couple of courses with other parents

Family support offered the right solution

Playgroup? A deaf woman came to play with Jara No

Cochlear Implant? Our family worker played a mayor role: she gave us a lot of information answered our questions, spoke about the different CI teams, the risks of surgery, clarified information we received from hospital and spoke with us about our feelings, doubts and fears. Hospital care was poor, which made us hesitate We asked the FODOK for some booklets We spoke with a lot of parents

Our family worker played a mayor role:

she gave us a lot of information

answered our questions,

spoke about the different CI teams,

the risks of surgery,

clarified information we received from hospital and

spoke with us about our feelings, doubts and fears.

Hospital care was poor, which made us hesitate

We asked the FODOK for some booklets

We spoke with a lot of parents

Jara was 2,5 years old We hoped that the future would be easier for her. Cochlear Implant!

Jara was 2,5 years old

We hoped that the future

would be easier for her.

What education? Family Support informed us about the different schools. special education (school for the deaf) regular education bilingual education in the neighbourhood Together we visited that school, and decided to go there.

Family Support informed us about the different schools.

special education (school for the deaf)

regular education

bilingual education in the neighbourhood

Together we visited that school, and decided to go there.

Preschool? over three years old not enough knowledge to work with deaf children together with Ruth

over three years old

not enough knowledge to work with deaf children

together with Ruth

Primary school A lot of attention to Jara's development Good contact with all the different professionals: speechtherapist, cesartherapist, audiologist, gymteacher, signlanguage teacher, etc. Focus on social skills and deaf identity

A lot of attention to Jara's development

Good contact with all the different professionals: speechtherapist, cesartherapist, audiologist, gymteacher, signlanguage teacher, etc.

Focus on social skills and deaf identity

Primary school Focus on the parents. We are well informed: class visits, notebook, etc. We discuss issues we have with Jara and together we look for a working solution. Working relationship? Yes, due to frankness and acceptance.

Focus on the parents.

We are well informed: class visits, notebook, etc.

We discuss issues we have with Jara and together we look for a working solution.

Working relationship? Yes, due to frankness and acceptance.

End Child Support End of Child support More questions!

Again, sign language or not? Different opinions about using sign language. Parents now have to gather relevant data themselves. Important focus on the complete child! Not only on what he/she should learn with an implant.

Different opinions about using sign language.

Parents now have to gather relevant data themselves.

Important focus on the complete child! Not only on what he/she should learn with an implant.

Regular and special education 4 days special education, 1 day regular school Participate in the hearing world Parents arrange this themselves Schools are willing to participate

4 days special education, 1 day regular school

Participate in the hearing world

Parents arrange this themselves

Schools are willing to participate

What's best for our child? Parents are constantly looking for answers to their questions. It's important that parents are well informed so that they can make the right decisions for their child.

Parents are constantly looking for answers to their questions.

It's important that parents are well informed so that they can make the right decisions for their child.

A working relationship? Professionals should put their knowledge and skills at the service of deaf children and their parents. Ideally every parent should have a professional sparring partner. Professionals and parent organizations should work closely together.

Professionals should put their knowledge and skills at the service of deaf children and their parents.

Ideally every parent should have a professional sparring partner.

Professionals and parent organizations should work closely together.

Thank you very much for your attention!