The Transition to School Among Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Children: Teacher and Parent Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 396-407
Author(s):  
Anat Zaidman-Zait ◽  
Brenda T Poon ◽  
Deirdre Curle ◽  
Janet R Jamieson ◽  
Nancy Norman

AbstractAlthough entry into the school system is a major milestone in the lives of young d/Deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) children and their families, relatively little is known about parents’ and teachers’ experiences and perspectives of this important transition. The aims of this study were to describe parents’ concerns during their children’s transition from early intervention to school, to describe practices available for families of DHH children, and to explore parents’ and teachers’ perspectives regarding practices that support a smooth transition to school. Parents (N = 40) and teachers (N = 37) of the deaf and hard of hearing completed surveys examining their experiences and perspectives on DHH children’s transition to school. Among concerns expressed among parents was their child’s ability to participate successfully in an inclusive school setting, as well as the level of supports their child would receive. Teachers reported numerous policies and practices that supported the transition to school, emphasizing high-intensity practices often used to gather information about the child and set accommodations in place. Parent and teacher reports on facilitators for the transition are compared and contrasted. Recommendations for research and practice are provided.

Author(s):  
Constance Th. W. M. Vissers ◽  
Daan Hermans

The implications of a hearing loss can go far beyond the linguistic domain. Several studies have revealed that deaf and hard-of-hearing children are at risk in their social-emotional development. This chapter argues that executive functions and theory of mind are two central underlying cognitive factors in people’s social-emotional functioning. We briefly review what is currently known about executive functioning and theory-of-mind development in deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents and then present a cognitive model with a central role for inner speech in relation to executive functioning and theory of mind. We hypothesize that inner speech both enables and urges the regulation of oneself (executive function) and also the mentalization of one’s own and others’ inner worlds (theory of mind). We discuss the implications for assessing and treating social-emotional problems in deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents.


Author(s):  
Nina Jakhelln Laugen

In some respects, hard-of-hearing children experience the same difficulties as deaf children, whereas other challenges might be easier or more difficult to handle for the hard-of-hearing child than it would be for the deaf child. Research has revealed great variability in the language, academic, and psychosocial outcomes of hard-of-hearing children. Universal newborn hearing screening enables early identification and intervention for this group, which traditionally has been diagnosed rather late; however, best practices regarding the scope and content of early intervention have not yet been sufficiently described for hard-of-hearing children. This chapter summarizes the current knowledge concerning psychosocial development in hard-of-hearing children. Risk and protective factors, and their implications for early intervention, are discussed with a special emphasis on preschoolers.


Author(s):  
Dani Levine ◽  
Daniela Avelar ◽  
Roberta Michnick Golinkoff ◽  
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek ◽  
Derek M. Houston

Copious evidence indicates that, even in the first year of life, children’s language development is beginning and is impacted by a wide array of cognitive and social processes. The extent to which these processes are dependent on early language input is a critical concern for most deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children, who, unlike hearing children, are usually not immersed in a language-rich environment until effective interventions, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, are implemented. Importantly, some cognitive and social processes are not dependent on the early availability of language input and begin to develop before children are fitted for hearing aids or cochlear implants. Interventions involving parent training may be helpful for enhancing social underpinnings of language and for maximizing DHH children’s language learning once effective hearing devices are in place. Similarly, cognitive training for DHH children may also provide benefit to bolster language development.


Author(s):  
Evelyn L. Fisher ◽  
Lia K. Thibodaux ◽  
Danielle Previ ◽  
Jennifer Reesman

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282199362
Author(s):  
Inbar Levkovich ◽  
Zohar Elyoseph

This qualitative study examined teachers’ experiences dealing with bereaved students following the death of a parent. The researchers conducted in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 25 teachers in Israeli schools who had counseled one of their students after the death of a parent. The interviews were recorded and transcribed and underwent content analysis. Analysis of the findings revealed that the teachers felt helpless, confused, overloaded emotionally and anxious when counseling students who had lost a parent. In addition, the teachers discussed the complex nature of their relationship with the remaining parent, ranging from a desire to support the family through avoidance for fear of hurting the parent to fears of being overwhelmed by the child’s problems. Many teachers mentioned their need for support from school officials.


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