Join our Board of Directors: Make a lasting impact with Aussie Deaf Kids
We are looking for a passionate and experienced individual to join our Board of Directors. This is an exceptional opportunity to lend your expertise to making a meaningful difference in the lives of Australian families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. As a Board Member, you will play a key role in […]
Changes for ADK Facebook group
A letter to members of the Aussie Deaf Kids Unilateral Hearing Loss Group In our ongoing commitment to provide you with the best possible online community experience for families with children who have unilateral hearing loss, we are announcing a change in our approach to better serve your needs and interests. Although Facebook does not […]
Sleep: Strategies to support sleep for children with sensory disability
NextSense Institute Sleep problems in young deaf children is a frequent topic in the Aussie Deaf Kids online groups. It can be difficult to know whether the issue is a ‘deaf thing’ or a ‘child thing’. NextSense Institute has the recording of a webinar on sleep which is available to watch whenever it suits you! […]
Research participation – How well can your baby hear you?
Using brain waves to assess language abilities in infants and young children with hearing loss The National Acoustics Laboratories is recruiting participants for the above study which seeks to develop and optimise clinical tests to evaluate whether children with hearing loss can hear speech with and without hearing aids. Researchers are currently seeking children under […]
Participate in research
Parent and Professionals’ Perspectives of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems for D/deaf Children with Complex Communication Needs Are you the caregiver of a child, who is deaf or hard of hearing is enrolled in a primary special school lives in Queensland, and uses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems? You may be interested in participating […]
Position Paper on the Right to Sign Language for Families of Deaf Children
The World Federation of the Deaf recently released their Position Paper on the Right to Sign Language for Families of Deaf Children. The Position Paper provides five recommendations for governments – all helpful for ongoing advocacy for Auslan services for children and families who chose a multi-lingual sign language pathway : Recommendation 1: Recognise that […]
First name Amelia
In the months following Amelia’s diagnosis of hearing loss, I picked up a strange habit when introducing her to people we met in our daily travels. Like an involuntary verbal tic, I would call her ‘deaf’ before I said her name or anything else about her. This new tendency was the result of many obsessive […]
Enjoy music
Singing, dancing and banging out a noisy rhythm are part of the joy of childhood. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing can enjoy and benefit from music too! Research at Macquarie University has found that music has therapeutic benefits for children with hearing loss. Music training can improve communication skills, regulate emotions and […]
Fun pragmatics
Pragmatics is the way in which we use language in different social situations. It’s important for taking part in conversations and interactions in socially acceptable ways. Most children develop pragmatics skills during their early years by being exposed to language around them and engaging socially with others. However, it can be more challenging for our […]
Don’t say “Don’t worry”
As parents, we can be guilty of saying, “Don’t worry”, when our kids with hearing loss say, “Pardon?”. We may say it because we are actually talking to someone else or we have answered our own question by the time our child responds. You may not realise it, but our kids get this a lot, […]
Deafness is NOT a learning disability
Some people have the misconception that deafness is a learning disability. It is not! However, without the right support, children who are deaf or hard of hearing can fall behind their hearing peers. That is why early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to giving your child timely access to language, whether signing, spoken or both! […]
Conversational skills
Communication and connection with family and friends are key goals for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. We usually learn how these interactions work through watching and overhearing people chatting with each other. Children with hearing loss can miss out on this learning experience. You can help them develop their conversational skills by […]
Accessibility
Accessibility means making products, services, devices, or places that everyone can use easily, including our children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). Some apps and functionalities can make information more accessible to people who are DHH and allow them to stay informed and connected. Microsoft and Apple are improving accessibility with tools such […]
Parent tips for cochlear implant surgery
The decision of whether or not to implant your child is an extremely difficult one. If you have chosen to proceed with surgery, then here is some advice from parents that you may find helpful. Choosing doctor… Make sure you are happy with your choice of surgeon – ask questions including how much experience they […]
Questions to ask at an appointment
Parents in our online groups often ask what questions to ask their ENT, audiologist, speech therapist etc. Here are a few of good resources from the United States. They are a good starting point for parents when thinking about their next appointment. Download the Real Life Tips infographic. More information: ENT questions Audiologist questions Early […]
Learn the words
Many of us have attended medical or therapy appointments where the professional uses words we do not understand. We can not be involved in decision-making or manage our child’s hearing loss if we do not comprehend what we are being told. When someone uses words or explanations that you do not understand: Ask the person […]
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing involves analysing your child’s DNA to identify specific genetic mutations associated with hearing conditions. It can help diagnose the cause of hearing loss, predict the risk of future hearing issues, and guide treatment options. However, the decision about whether or not to have genetic testing should not be rushed. Genetic testing can provide […]
Carer allowance and carer payment
CARER ALLOWANCE is a fortnightly supplement if you give additional daily care to someone who has a disability or a medical condition. A young person under the age of 16 with a “45 decibels or more hearing loss in the better ear, based on a 4 frequency pure tone average (using 500, 1,000, 2,000 and […]
