Well-informed
parents make the right choices for their children.
Ninety percent of children with a hearing loss
have hearing parents and it is a steep learning
curve for us when our child is diagnosed with
a hearing loss.
There are thousands of excellent articles on
the internet for parents of deaf or hard of
hearing children. The
Internet is a wonderful resource but there is
a concern about the quality and validity of
much of the information. I would urge all parents
take 'A
free, ”teach yourself" tutorial that
lets you practice your Internet Information
Skills', so that you can become an efficient
researcher and critical evaluator of the information
you read.
The Aussie Deaf Kids Resource Directory
hopes to make your searching more specific,
time - saving and relevant to Australian parents.
Pages are not listed alphabetically but rather
in the order we find ourselves going from early
testing, diagnosis etc. Theoretically, you could
start at the top and work your way down as your
baby grows and moves onto different stages.
Remember how important you are in this whole
process and look after your needs as well. There
are some good tips for parents in the 'Parents
are important' section.
In each topic, there are a couple of good articles
for you to read. You can go straight to the
article by clicking on the link you are interested
in. This is a work in progress. If you know
of an article that you feel would be useful
to other parents, then
send us an email and we can include it in
the Resource Directory.
Ann
Porter [Profile]
Disclaimer: This
site aims to offer general information only. You should always seek professional
advice about your child from the relevant health professional or educator.
This site is not a substitute for independent professional advice.
Building blocks
A parent to parent information kit for families
with a baby who has been diagnosed with a hearing
loss
Can my baby
hear?
Articles about universal newborn hearing screening
and normal milestones in babies.
About
the ear
All about the ear - how it works and common problems
My
baby has a hearing loss
Articles for parents whose baby has been diagnosed
with a hearing loss. Where to go, who you will see
and what they will do. Also articles about the types
of hearing loss and degrees of hearing loss.
Hearing
aids and assistive listening devices
Articles about hearing aids, FM systems and other
devices - types, moulds, their care and some good
tips for parents.
Cochlear
Implants
Articles about cochlear implants - what they are,
how they work, pros and cons and what cochlear implant
users say.
Early
Intervention
An overview of early intervention and then Early
Intervention options state by state.
Communication
Options
The subject that polarises parents and educators.
Articles looking at the choices.
Schools
for deaf and hearing impaired children in Australia
Schooling options in each State and Territory are
listed with links to all the schools, if available.
Education
Issues
Articles about education and schooling in general
as well as specific articles for deaf and hard of
hearing children. Brochures and information for
school teachers and calssmates and also good reference
sites for primary and high school students to assist
with projects and homework.
Parents
are important
Looking after yourself, understanding how you feel,
where to go to meet other parents with deaf and
hearing impaired children and much more.
Mental
Health
The number of deaf adults who have required treatment
for a mental health problem is almost double that
of the normal population. Articles looking at promoting
mental health as well as problems in mental health
and where to find assistance.
Causes
of hearing loss
We often don't know why our children are deaf. Since
the completion of the Human Genome Project, we are
finding out more and more about the genetics of
hearing loss. General articles on genetics and deafness
as well as other causes of hearing loss.
Miscellaneous
This includes articles on the Human Rights and Equal
Opportunity Commission, lobbying your politician,
financial assistance that is available and other
articles that I couldn't figure out where to put
but are still interesting and worthwhile reading.
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