| The process of choosing the right school for your | | | | - Therapy and Audiology Sessions available on site |
| hearing impaired child can be very confusing. Should | | | | – no need to miss school |
| the child be sent to a specialized school for the deaf | | | | - Can easily accommodate special needs of your child |
| where the child’s hearing loss is given the | | | | Cons |
| proper attention and care? Or is it better to send the | | | | - Locations not available in all areas |
| child to an ordinary preschool where he or she must | | | | - Does not give the child a real-world experience with |
| struggle to keep up with the other ordinary hearing | | | | normal hearing kids |
| children? | | | | - May have many “deaf-culture” beliefs, |
| The Choices | | | | such as promoting the use of sign language and other |
| Many children with cochlear implants live in an area | | | | visual cues that hamper the child’s auditory and |
| where they have an option of attending a special | | | | language development |
| preschool for the deaf. These are usually part of a | | | | - High tuition costs, somewhat offset by governmental |
| larger Deaf School, which is an institution that focuses | | | | assistance |
| exclusively on educating children with hearing loss or | | | | - Limited choice of schools |
| other auditory deficiencies. The school’s staff | | | | Regular Preschools Pros |
| will usually include audiologists, speech-language | | | | - Child learns to speak from “normal |
| pathologists, and teachers who have completed | | | | hearing” children |
| courses in Deaf Education, such as those offered by | | | | - Other children learn to accept your child’s |
| First Step. Most of the children that attend have some | | | | hearing loss at a young age |
| level of hearing loss, and are either cochlear implant or | | | | - Large choice of schools usually available |
| hearing aid users. Ordinary preschools can also be a | | | | - Lower tuition fees, less paperwork and hassle |
| choice for your cochlear implanted child. There are | | | | - Forces child to use ordinary communication methods |
| usually quite a few to choose from in your area, so | | | | - Parent is more likely to be involved in therapy |
| you can be select the one that best meet your | | | | sessions which take place outside the school |
| child’s needs, as we outline below. Since your | | | | Cons |
| child has the benefit of being able to hear sounds with | | | | - Inconvenience of not having therapy or audiology |
| their cochlear implant(s), he/she can usually keep up | | | | services available on-site |
| with the other children at the school without falling | | | | - School is usually not equipped to handle issues |
| behind. | | | | relating to your child’s hearing loss |
| As a parent, you are faced with making this decision. | | | | - Child may have to struggle to keep up with peers |
| Just what is important to take into consideration when | | | | - Child may have to miss a lot of school to attend |
| choosing one particular type over the other? How | | | | therapy and audiology sessions |
| does one decide on which school will be the best for | | | | Making the Decision Actually deciding on one particular |
| their child? | | | | school is a difficult task. There are many things to |
| Pros and Cons | | | | consider in a school, in addition to all the items listed |
| The following list outlines the general pros and cons of | | | | above. Is the school warm and friendly? Will they do |
| both the specialized Deaf Schools and ordinary | | | | their best to ensure my child will have a positive |
| preschools: | | | | experience there? Will the staff go the extra mile to |
| Deaf Schools | | | | properly care for my child’s special needs? Are |
| Pros | | | | they attentive and responsive to my inquiries and |
| - Geared towards your child’s hearing loss | | | | concerns? |
| – equipped to do the job right | | | | The final decision on this matter is ultimately made by |
| - Child’s professionals on staff – | | | | you – the parent. However, being well informed |
| audiologists, speech language pathologists, and | | | | about your choices will make the process a lot easier. |
| Teachers of the Deaf | | | | By preparing yourself first with knowledge about your |
| - Small Class Size – Child receives individual | | | | particular choices, you are most likely going to make |
| attention | | | | the right choice for both you and your child. |