Georgia State University Series:

Part 1, Presentation 6

July 2001

Family Sensitivity

Do not assume you know what someone else is

feeling.

Important Factors

Privacy Honesty Clear Information Listening Time Planning

Privacy

Keep discussion in a private room Move away from other patients and staff Insure parents are given private time if

needed

Honesty

Provide only honest answers to questions Say you know or you don’t know Offer to get the answer for them Do not give false hope

Clarity of Information

Use basic terms Provide info in writing Explain until information is understood to

the best of their ability Follow-up to determine if understood

Listen

Use eyes and ears Is the question being asked for “emotional

support” or to “gather information.” Provide the information and then sit and

“listen” for response– Listening and waiting are NOT the same thing

Criers generally adapt better to sad

situations. Crying can lead to less denial.

Respond to sadness/anger

Listen Allow silence Mirror persons posture Allow time

Acknowledge feeling Have Kleenex

available Remain calm

Let them know you are listening, “use sponges” by saying “uh-huh” or anything else to acknowledge what they are saying.

Time

Plan according to the news being delivered Watch the time Give warning that time is drawing to a close Offer to call and check on parents later Call them

Plan

Have a flexible plan available Base plan on parent’s needs

– What will Early Interventionist do next– What will parent do next

Denial serves a purpose – it is

protective.

Reactions

Denial

Anxiety

Depression

Guilt

Acceptance

Denial

Some parents may deny the fact their child has a hearing loss. Sometimes this stage manifests itself when parents insist that their child communicate orally or through sign language, when the child may be better suited to a different method of communication or learning.

Anxiety

Parents learn things like "the average deaf high school graduate reads at fourth grade level" and worry about their child's future academic abilities and employability. They worry that their child may not be able to communicate with hearing children in the neighborhood and have friends.

Guilt

Parents may feel that their child's hearing loss is the result of something that they did, or did not do.

Depression

Some parents ask themselves, "Why us? why our child?"

Anger

Some parents think, "It's not fair! This is not fair to us or to our child! We/our child does not deserve this!"

Acceptance

Parents learn about deafness and hearing loss. They become acquainted with others in the Deaf / HOH community, and see that their child can have a normal, fulfilling life. It becomes clear that their deaf or HOH child can have a good future as a productive adult regardless of the communication mode that is chosen, or how severe the child's hearing loss is.

Parent’s Wish Listfor Audiologists

as provided by www.ibwebs.com

Information

Audiologists be more forthcoming

Provide books, pamphlets, phone numbers,support group info

Discuss funding options

Discuss info regarding aural habilitation

Discuss ear mold modifications benefits

Discuss new technology

Give all pertinent info you have regarding hearing aids

Communication

Give us choices in communication options

Give us choices in amplification options

Let the parent make the final decision

Respect the choices the family makes

Additional Wishes

Help our children learn to test in a sound booth

If you don’t want to work with kids refer us to someone who does

Listen to the child and the parent

Discuss loaner aids If you do not

recommend something than say it.

Keep up to date on testing children

Please be patient when testing our children