Parents are faced with all kinds of decisions throughout the life of their child. As the parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, these decisions may be about choices that are new to you – most families know little about deafness when their child is identified with a hearing loss. Knowing you are making the right choices at the right time can often be clouded by stress or by the differing views of professionals, family and friends. The amount of information given to you can be overwhelming given the complex nature of many of the issues. How can you make the right choices?
The issue of informed choice for families with a deaf child is an important one. Parents of deaf children often feel that they may have made different choices if they had been provided with all the relevant information about the options available to them. In the past, the kind of information parents received may have depended on where they lived or what their service provider thought might be best.
Each of the two words in “informed choice” highlights an essential aspect of the decision-making process. Parents need to be informed about their options, but this is not sufficient. Parents also need choices. The choices may not always be available in your area or state but you need to know about them so you can weigh up all your options.
For example, most newborn hearing screening programs subscribe to the principle of informed choice. However, putting this into practice may not always be a reality. Some professionals may have strongly held views about what might be best for your child. Limited funding, low staffing levels and shortage of skills can place considerable pressure on service providers. Each of these factors may make professionals reluctant to tell parents about all their options and this can inhibit the parents’ ability to make informed choices.
The purpose of informed choice is to ensure that all parents decide for themselves on the care that best suits the needs of their child and family. Every family is different and the choices you make should reflect your family’s desires, beliefs and values.
This does not mean you need to make these decisions on your own. The relationship you have with the professionals looking after your child is an important one and should be seen as a partnership of two experts. The professionals are experts on hearing loss and you are the expert on your child and his or her needs. The professional’s role is to help you think through the decision-making process, focus on key issues and evaluate your options.
Reliable information is crucial if you are to make an informed choice. There are many ways for you to find the information you need:
Wherever you find information, it must be reliable, up-to-date and should be based on good research. However, there are a number of areas of hearing loss (such as unilateral hearing loss and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder) where research is ongoing. Research may not always be conclusive and you may not always be able to find definite answers.
The information you get from other parents and Deaf adults, may not be based on research but on the “lived experience.” This can provide you with some valuable insights into how a chosen option may affect your child and family. Remember this information may be coloured by the views and experiences of the individual, so do not rely on this information alone. Compare their experiences and information with other sources and seek the opinion of professionals looking after your child.
You should feel confident that you understand the information and what each option means for your child and family now and in the future. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When someone uses a word you don’t understand, ask that person to explain what the word means. Discuss the information with a trusted professional and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to say what you think and know.
Comparing options:
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Making decisions is not always easy and it can be tempting to think the professional knows best. The professionals are the experts in their area and sometimes have strong views about one choice or another. This can be confusing and difficult at times. But you know your child and situation better than anyone. The choice should be yours alone. Trust your instincts as a parent and if you feel you need more time or more information, the professionals should help and support you in this.
Decisions are not set in stone. You can change your mind although some decisions are more difficult to change than others. Choices that are right when your child is young may no longer be appropriate as they grow. Don’t blame yourself if a previous decision has not worked out. You made the best decision you could at the time. You might want to look at other options now. A professional can help you to re-evaluate your options and support and guide you in making new decisions for the next stage of your child’s life.
Informed choice is particularly difficult for migrant families in Australia. The information you need may not be available in your native language. You should feel confident that you understand your options and have been given the information and support you need to make the right decisions. These decisions should meet the needs of your child and reflect your family’s culture, beliefs and values. Ask for an interpreter. Ask for information in your first language. If this is not available, ask your professionals to assist you to find the information in a language or format that you understand.
Parents who participate actively in the decision-making process – by asking questions, giving their opinions and expressing concerns – make better decisions.
You can become an active decision-maker by seeking information about your options from a variety of sources. Prepare your questions before visiting your service provider. Ask these questions and expect to receive answers. Some parents are reluctant to ask questions. They worry about appearing ignorant or are concerned about challenging the professional’s authority. Remember there is no such thing as a silly question. Be confident in your knowledge as a parent of your child and your ability to play an active role in the decision-making process.
In order for parents to be fully informed of their choices and options, professionals should discuss all choices, even those that are not readily available to your family. It is not appropriate for the professional to filter or censor the information or gently lead you to make decisions that fit comfortably with the available options.
The reality is that the choice or option you decide is best for you may not always be available. There are a number of things you can do in this situation:
Before making a decision, ask yourself…
Source: Helping you choose: Making Informed Choices for you and your child. |
You can make informed decisions that reflect your family’s needs, beliefs and values when you have reliable information about all your options. This can be obtained from trusted sources of information and the unbiased support and guidance of the professionals working with your child.
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Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is not intended as a substitute for independent professional advice.
