Support for siblings and families of deaf children
Support can come from your family and friends and your local community or local deaf group. It can also come from services for deaf children, including audiologists, speech and language therapists and your child’s Teacher of the Deaf.
Here at the National Deaf Children’s Society, our network of local support groups can help siblings feel part of their deaf brother or sister’s world; many local groups run family and sibling signing days. We also host a wide variety of events for families, children and teenagers, including workshops for parents, and sports, arts and outdoor activities for deaf children and young people. We have online family events where siblings can join with their deaf brother or sister and have some fun together.
Read and watch
We have a range of publications and resources including:
- Understanding your Child’s Hearing Tests
- Hearing Aids – Information for families
- Cochlear Implants – A guide for families
Other organisations
Sibs
Sibs exist to support people who grow up with or have grown up with a disabled brother or sister. It's the only UK charity representing the needs of over half a million young siblings and over one and a half million adult siblings.
Kids
Kids is a national charity that provides a wide range of support services to disabled children, young people and their families.
Phoenix Group for Deaf Children
Based in the Hertfordshire area, the Phoenix Group for Deaf Children runs specific groups for siblings. They also offer signing courses for all family members.
Contact
Contact is for families with disabled children and provides information, advice and support including a section on supporting siblings.
The Family Centre (Deaf Children)
The Family Centre (Deaf Children) runs youth clubs for deaf children and their siblings and offers support and events for other family members.
See also the Sibling Support Project – this is a US agency, but it hosts very good materials.