Healthy Families
of Children who are Deaf

John L. Luckner, Ed.D.
Ann M. Velaski, M.A.

National Center on Low-Incidence Disabilities
University of Northern Colorado

Importance of Family

Families are the critical element in the development of healthy, competent, and caring children (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments, 1997).

Importance of Family

The quality of family life affects the success of young people in school, the community, and significantly influences how well they will function as adults (Singer & Irvin, 1989).

Importance of Family

Previous research on successful students who are deaf (Luckner & Muir, 2001) and successful adults who are deaf (Luckner & Stewart, 2003) indicated the family as the most important factor in their success.

Purpose of Study

To interview healthy families of children who are deaf to identify the factors that contributed to their health as well as to solicit from them suggestions for other families who have a child who is deaf as well as for professionals in the field of deaf education.

Definition of Family

"Two or more people who regard themselves as a family and who perform some of the functions that families typically perform. These people may or may not be related by blood or marriage and may or may not usually live together" (Turnbull & Turnbull, 2001, p. 12).

Definition of a Healthy Family

• Good communication among family members
• Clear roles
• Intimacy
• Ability to cope with and adjust to daily life demands
• (Luterman, 1987, p. 87)

Sampling

• Families nominated from teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Notice in a parent newsletter and a Department of Education newsletter
• Self-nominated families

Participants

• Thirty-three families were nominated
• Nineteen families were interviewed

Procedure

• Interviews
• Face-to-face
• Phone
• E-mail

Data Collection Interview Questions

• You have been described as a healthy family who has a child who is deaf. Why do you think you have been successful?
• What challenges have you had to overcome?
• Have professionals helped you? If so, how?
• Have professionals hindered the family? If so, how?

Data Collection Interview Questions

• What advice do you have for other families of children who are deaf?
• What advice do you have for professionals who work with families who have a child who is deaf?
• Is there anything else you would like to add?
• Please indicate which member(s) of the family participated in responding to the questions.

Analysis

Interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed

Interview Results...

Factors that contributed to being a healthy family who has a child who is deaf

• Commitment to family
• Learning to sign with their child
• Support from extended family, friends, and members of the community
• Support from the professionals working at the educational program their child attends
• High expectations for the child with a hearing loss

Interview Results...

Identify challenges have had to overcome

• Finding a good educational program and getting the appropriate services
• Learning to sign
• Helping people understand deafness
• Finances
• Friendships for the child who is deaf

Interview Results...

Professionals helpful?

• Teachers of students who are deaf
• Audiologists
• Interpreters
• Speech and language therapists

Interview Results...

Professionals hinder? If so, how?

• Medical profession
• Identification challenges
• "Fix it" philosophy
• Professionals biased toward a specific communication methodology

Interview Results...

Advice for other families with children who are deaf

• Gather information to identify resources and learn what rights your child has
• Have high expectations for your child
• Learn sign language
• Be involved in your child’s education
• Love and encourage your child daily

Interview Results...

Advice for professionals who work with families who have a child who is deaf

• Be supportive, understanding and encouraging
• Keep in mind that parents know their child and their family needs best
• Be a resource who gathers and provides information to the family
• Get to know the child

Interview Results...

Anything else?

• Reiterated previously shared suggestions
• Felt blessed
• Reminded parents to love their child who is deaf as well as each other

Study Limitations

• Sampling was small - 19 families who all lived in one state.
• All except one family was Caucasian.
• Did not spend extended time with each family or observe family interactions.

Implications

• Support from professionals is essential
• Strengths perspective
• Descriptive rather than evaluative
• Provisional rather than certain
• Direct communication with the child is imperative
• Families need to be continually invited to be involved in the education of their children.

Final Thoughts

The family is the most important constant in a child's life, and the family environment is the richest context for social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

Questions??

Presentation based on article:

Luckner, J. & Velaski, A. (2004). Healthy families of children who are deaf. American Annals of the Deaf, 149(4), 324-335.

Thank You