Communicating with deaf children : exploring the experiences of hearing parents.
Date
2010-05-31T07:28:01Z
Authors
Klein, Amanda
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Abstract
This study examines the experiences of hearing parents of deaf children and the
process by which they come to choose a primary communication mode to use with
their deaf children. Among the many obstacles that parents face in connection with
their deaf child’s diagnosis of deafness, communication considerations appear most
prominent, with choice of communication modality often emphasised. Participants in
this study were hearing parents whose children attended St. Vincent School for the
Deaf in Melrose, Johannesburg. Seven participants were interviewed using a semistructured
approach. Interviews were transcribed and then analysed using thematic
content analysis. Data analysis yielded three main themes with various sub-themes
falling underneath these. The first theme identified was ‘Diagnosis of Deafness’ under
which fell ‘Reaction of Parents to Diagnosis’ and ‘Information Provided by
Professionals Consulted’. The second theme identified was ‘Mode of
Communication’ which subsumed three sub-themes, namely; ‘Primary Mode of
Communication used’, ‘Important Referent’s Views on Preferred Mode of
Communication’ and ‘Lack of Communication’. The third theme identified was
‘Stigma’. Under the theme ‘stigma’ fell two sub-themes, namely; ‘Treatment by
Hearing Children’ and ‘Perceptions of Deaf People’. Conclusions and implications of
these themes for service provision are discussed.