Choosing a communication approach
Get support to help you make choices about how your child communicates, both now and in the future.
Choosing a communication approach is a personal decision. It may be affected by:
- the language your family uses at home
- your child’s level and type of deafness
- whether your child uses hearing devices such as hearing aids
- where you live
- the language and communication environment at home
- additional physical, learning and language needs
Whichever communication approach you choose, keep an open mind and be flexible. The most important thing is that your child has the best support to learn from and influence the world around them, make choices, and enjoy relationships. Different children can do this in different ways.
The choices you make now do not have to be permanent. Lots of deaf children and young people find their communication preferences change as they get older. Professionals who work with deaf children and young people can help track their progress and support with trying a different approach.
Find out more about changing your communication approach.
My advice to other parents is to do what feels good and what will work for you. If you give your child options, you might find that the communication route you want them to take might not be the route that’s best for them. Give them all the options; they’re sponges at that age. Even if they’re not talking or signing back to you yet, one day they might, and it’ll feel amazing.”
Clarissa is mum to Griffin (3), who’s severely deaf and has Down’s syndrome.
Understanding the options
In the UK, most deaf children communicate using speech, sign language, both (known as sign bilingualism) or a combination of speech and a sign system such as Sign Supported English (SSE).
Joining a local support group or attending deaf events can be a great way to see how deaf children and young people communicate in different ways.
Some deaf children may have additional needs and need extra support to communicate. These children may benefit from using additional communication approaches, sometimes called Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This may include:
- eye pointing frames
- communication books or charts
- Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS)
- electronic communication aids
Find out more about communication options for deaf children with additional needs.
The small wins are the best wins. They can catch you off-guard. My favourite was the first time she signed ‘sorry’ to her brother through gritted teeth and with an upset look on her face. That incorporated everything for me. She was communicating, she understood the emotions of the situation, she knew she’d done something wrong, but she wasn’t happy about it. It was amazing.”
Mary is mum to Genevieve (8) who's profoundly deaf and uses speech and BSL.
Making an informed choice
When you’re researching different communication approaches, be aware that some charities and organisations promote a specific communication approach. Although these organisations might have lots of evidence to show why their approach is successful, there is not enough evidence to show that any one communication approach is better than another. Everyone’s different, and what works for one family might not be the best option for another.
If you’re not sure of the best approach, talk through the possibilities with the professionals who know you. You could also speak to other families and deaf people who use your chosen communication approach. Here are some questions to think about.
Questions to ask yourself and others
- What level and type of deafness does my child have and how is it managed?
- Does my child need a range of communication options so they can communicate in different ways at different times?
- Is my child’s deafness likely to change in the future?
- Does my child have any physical, learning or language needs that might make certain communication methods more suitable?
- What new skills will we learn as a family? What’s the best way to do this?
- Will the communication approach be provided locally, or will we need to travel?
- Will we need to pay for lessons in my chosen communication approach, or is funding available to support my choice?
- How might my choice affect my child’s social and educational experiences and opportunities in the future?
Questions to ask local services and professionals
- How can I find out about the different communication choices?
- What other approaches might be supported in the surrounding areas?
- Where can I get other information from?
- Can I meet other parents who have chosen a variety of approaches and learn from their experiences?
- Can I meet deaf adults or young people who use varied approaches to learn from their experiences?
- What opportunities exist locally for my child to learn alongside other children in our choice of approach?
- What staff does the service have to help me support my child’s communication? What specialist skills and training do they have and how will they support my choice?
Finding communication approaches that are supported in your area
Unfortunately, support for all communication approaches is not always available in every area. That does not mean that your preferred communication approach should be limited by your location.
If your child's needs are better suited to a different approach that's not normally supported in your area, talk to the professionals who work with your family about how you can access the support and information you need.
Parents need to be more aware of what’s out there. It feels like you’re running into a brick wall at times, but you just have to keep asking until you find the right support."
Lynne is mum to Jayleigh (19) who's profoundly deaf and uses BSL.
Communication options for deaf children with additional needs
Get advice about different communication approaches for deaf children with additional needs, including autism.
When communication choices change
Find out when and how deaf children and young people can change the way they communicate.