Creating a sign language booklet
Make a simple booklet of the Auslan signs your child uses most often. This is a great tool for family and friends who may not be confident signing yet. For example, grandparents can refer to the booklet and communicate more effectively with their grandchild when babysitting, or practice their signing at home. If you’re considering […]
Asking to join in
Making friends and joining in games can be tricky for any child. The good news is, with a bit of practice and support, children can learn simple ways to ask to be included. Here are some tips for helping your child join in: Teach simple phrases or signs: Help your child practice saying or signing […]
Ear wax management and ear health
Taking care of your child’s ears is an important part of maintaining their hearing health. Here are some practical tips to help keep their ears clean and healthy: ✅ What to Do: Let the ears clean themselves: Ears are self-cleaning. Wax naturally moves out of the ear canal on its own. Wipe the outer ear: […]
NAPLAN adjustments & right to sit test
Did you know your child can have adjustments during NAPLAN to make the tests more accessible? These adjustments help students with disability — including those who are deaf or hard of hearing — have an equivalent learner experience and encourage maximum participation. What Parents Need to Know: Your child has the right to sit NAPLAN. […]
Hearing aids are not the same as glasses
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are not like glasses because they do not simply “correct” hearing in the way glasses correct vision. Here’s why… They don’t restore normal hearing: Glasses adjust the focus of light entering the eye, restoring clear vision for most people. Hearing aids and cochlear implants, however, amplify or process sound but […]
The importance of regular eye tests
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing may also have problems with their eyesight. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing need the best possible vision to access visual cues that support communication, such as sign language, facial expressions, and lip-reading. Eye tests with an optometrist or ophthalmologist before starting school—or sooner if […]
Preparing for hearing tests and maximising cooperation
Hearing tests can be a new or difficult experience for your child, but with some preparation, you can help make it a positive one. Audiologists use various tests depending on your child’s age, cognitive development, and the type of hearing loss they are evaluating. While the specifics of each test are explained in the links […]
How to frame success for your child
As parents, we often use rewards to help our children reach their goals. But if we want to raise lifelong learners who are self-motivated and emotionally resilient, research suggests there are healthier ways to approach success. For children with hearing loss, focusing on effort and the process is especially important as they navigate their unique […]
Using assistive technology at home
For parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, creating a supportive home is key. There are many assistive listening devices designed to help your child navigate daily life more easily. Some you might know from school, but they are just as helpful at home. Here are a few devices that can make […]
Deaf-friendly family activities
Here are some engaging and inclusive games and activities for families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. These activities promote communication, social interaction, and fun for everyone involved. Remember to choose activities that include visual cues and other adjustments, such as good lighting, sitting in a circle and minimising background noise. 1. […]
Making your home deaf-friendly
As parents, we are constantly advocating for our child who is deaf or hard of hearing. We want our children to have equal access at daycare, in the classroom, and in public spaces. But what about in our own homes? Here are some tips for making your home more deaf-friendly, including some if you are […]
Using visual cues with infants
Whether your little one is learning spoken language, sign language, or both, VISUAL cues are invaluable. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing rely on their eyes to take in information around them. By incorporating visual cues such as facial expressions, sign language, and gestures, into everyday interactions and activities, you can create an […]
Dealing with people who stare
Responding to people who stare at your child who is deaf or wears hearing aids or cochlear implants can be challenging. Here are some practical tips on how to handle such situations gracefully: Stay calm and positive: Keep your own emotions in check and model a calm, positive attitude. Children often take cues from their […]
Fill in the gaps
When children are deaf or hard of hearing, they can miss out on information around them. Imagine your child is having a great time playing with blocks. There is a light knock on the door, and you get up to answer it. It can help to anticipate that your child probably did not hear the […]
Connecting with other families
From sharing tips, exchanging advice or being a support network to one another, connecting with others going through similar experiences can be invaluable. Parents, carers, children and young people will benefit and feel less isolated when connecting with other families on their journey of childhood deafness. There are many ways to connect, so choose what […]
Teens dealing with social isolation
It is quite normal for our teens who are deaf or hard of hearing to feel isolated at times. However, if they are experiencing persistent feelings of loneliness, it’s important to seek solutions. There are things your teen can do to feel less isolated: 1. Talk Encourage them to reach out to you (parent/carer) or […]
Social model of disability
As parents of children with hearing loss, we want to protect our kids from discrimination and ensure they have equal access in society. Deafness and hearing loss are complex issues that affect each child differently. A social model of disability accepts their individual differences and removes barriers so they can participate in their community and […]
How youth can develop social capital
Social capital refers to the value and benefits that arise from an individual’s relationships, connections, and networks with others in a community or society. For most young people, having social capital is beneficial in transitioning to postsecondary education and employment. For adolescents who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), social capital can help them […]
Turning 18
As your child who is deaf or hard of hearing approaches adulthood, important actions may need to be taken to assist them in moving forward as an independent adult. Individual Transition Plan – for school leavers is a tool used in some states to assist students with disabilities and additional learning needs in preparing for […]
Successfully navigating Individual Education Plans
An Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is a written statement that outlines the goals, strategies, and adjustments needed to meet a student’s unique educational needs. The IEP is important in helping students reach their full potential! The plan is developed collaboratively by a team of people who are invested in the […]
