BACKGROUND
Deafness is an isolating disability, not only for the child who is experiencing a world of silence, but also for the family who become isolated through self denial, lack of information and positive experiences from role models.
A child's learning doesn't just take place in the formal school setting, but learning takes place in the home, in the school playground, the local park, the leisure centre, or just walking down the street. Deaf children and young people do not automatically receive this learning. They are cut off, isolated from the informative world of sound around them. Deaf children and young people are totally excluded from the ordinary every day things that hearing people take for granted. Frustrations begin when hearing people do not realise the difficulties that deafness brings.
Diagnosis of deafness in children in Britain happens in the hospitals through the Ear, Nose and Throat Departments. Current medical guidelines require consultants to confirm diagnosis. Their remit does not extend to after care.
Diagnosis of deafness in children is a bereavement in itself for the family. Shock, disbelief, anger, confusion are resulting emotions causing further time delays in the early years development of children to acquire language and security.
In their confusion, parents are caught up in the world of medical intervention, speech therapy, statementing for education, extra tuition, endless visits to hospitals, hearing tests in the hope there is some improvement , only to be disappointed. Fighting for specialist help, campaigning to improve services are all the common experiences and stories we have found through our pilot family projects.
RESULT
The child loses the chance of play, to acquire language, to receive love and security. The result is childhood is short lived.
For the family, the chance to get to know the child, to communicate with him/her, to be free from additional pressures has been lost.
PURPOSE OF THE FYD FAMILY EARLY INTERVENTION CHALLENGE
- To reach out to the families and children at the point of diagnosis
- To provide
after care support, to enable parents, grandparents and children make
informed choices about their future
- To expose
deafness in a positive way
FYD cannot cure deafness. FYD can provide opportunities for deaf children and their families to accept and manage deafness. Be positive about being deaf. Gain confidence to be involved in school, work and social activities and most of all realise they CAN have aspirations and achieve those aspirations.
FYD, Friends for Young Deaf People's hope for the future is that every deaf child and young person will be able to play in the park, or school playground, or walk down the street, without feeling isolated.