Hearing Dogs – not yet widely seen in Ireland – are companions to deaf people, and alert their owners to everyday sounds like doorbells, door-knocks, phones and cooker timers that otherwise might go unheard. Smudge the Hearing Dog features in this contribution to the website by his owner Tina Lannin, from Co Derry & Co Down, but who now lives in
When I’m asked this question, it’s tempting to reply, “what’s it like to be hearing?” – but that doesn’t achieve much! This simulator is brilliant for explaining how deaf people are challenged every day, and why background noise irritates hearing-device wearers. Simulators for autism, dyslexia and sight issues are also included on this site, which was
This article continues the “Digital Photos Help Special-Needs Children Learn” piece, which is one of the most-read on IDK. Home-made picture books are a brilliant way to teach children with special needs about their home life and the world around them. It doesn’t matter how these books are used, how they’re made, or how many
The IDK article “Toys & Games for Deaf Children” is one of the most-read on this site, so this complementary piece suggests toys for early development. Developmental Baby Toys for 0 – 24 Month Olds Remember, children who’re deaf have the same toys as hearing children, even if you may think otherwise! Handheld rattles will develop your child’s
Communication is a major decision for parents of deaf children, as it will shape their child’s life and prospects from an early age, with implications for their education and working life. Here’s a communication options chart with all the options and their commitments for families to review. Printing the chart to discuss with your family and others may help
The first-ever National Deaf Children’s Society ‘Change Your World’ survey, mentioned on IDK in January 2008, had some interesting results. A total of 1,468 responses were received from deaf UK youngsters aged 9 to 18, with 255 responses from parents and 188 from professionals. Key findings: Levels of deafness had a strong impact on the
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