Communication Choices

Is there a best choice?

No language or way of communicating is perfect. No one choice works well for all children who are deaf or hard of hearing. With good information, you can make a good choice for your child and your family.

How will I decide which choice is best for my child and my family?

Take a careful look at what family commitments and responsibilities are required for each choice. Each choice comes with a list of ‘must do’ items that are required for success. It is hard to make everything a priority. The more ‘must do’ things there are to pay attention to, the harder it is to do them well. If the commitments and responsibilities are only met ½ way, the outcomes will be ½ way.

Remember, children learn a language best when it is used with them in meaningful ways. Back and forth conversational turns about things and activities that are meaningful and interesting to the child are important. Back and forth conversational turns let the practice receiving and giving information. Back and forth conversational turns with an adult who uses a language well give children experience with that language and how that language is structured. Practice and experience allow children to learn new words and learn how to put those words together into sentences and stories.