Good speech and language and communication skills are crucial for children and young people who are deaf.
Language development: Developing strong language skills from birth is essential for deaf children. Language allows them to make sense of the world, build relationships and be understood by others.
Receptive and expressive skills:
- Receptive language: Understanding what others say or sign.
- Expressive language: Expressing thoughts and feelings to be understood by others.
Deaf children often develop receptive language faster than expressive language.
Communication methods: Communication involves not only words but also eye contact, gestures, tone of voice, facial expressions and body language. It is important to use communication methods that suit each child. This will help them express emotions and build connections with friends, families and their community.
Early exposure to language: Consistent access to language (spoken, signed (or both) or other augmentative and alternative communication) is critical for communication development in all children, including those who are deaf.
How you can help develop speech, language and communication
Early years
Early exposure: Communication begins from birth. Whether you use sign, spoken language or a mixture of both, consistent interaction supports developing speech, language and communication skills. Spend time with your baby, hold them, rock to music and let them see your face.
Follow their lead: Pay attention to your child’s interests and respond accordingly. Encourage them to explore and express themselves.
Visible face: Ensure your child can see your face. Visual cues are essential for communication.
Babbling to signs and words: Encourage babbling and introduce words and signs. This helps to build expressive language skills.
Grow vocabulary: Introduce new words and concepts. Use books, songs and everyday experiences to expand their vocabulary.
Communication matters: Consistent exposure to language (spoken or signed or both) supports developing communication skills.
More tips for developing early communication skills use the following link: Top tips for Deaf and/or hard of hearing inclusion – Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)
Older children or young people
Speech and language development for older children and young people is essential for social interaction, accessing education and overall well being:
Pragmatics: Practise using and understanding language in social situations.
Non verbal skills: Talk about communicating through gestures, body language and turn taking.
Rich language environment: Encourage exposure to language through conversations, books and everyday experiences.
Check understanding and comprehension of new curriculum terms. Consider word lists or pre and post teaching of new words or use visual cues.
Create a suitable environment to access spoken word e.g. minimise background noise, encourage use of technology or aids, speak one at a time, stand with your back to the light so your face is visible especially for lip reading.
More tips for developing communication skills for older children and young people use the following link: Top tips for Deaf and/or hard of hearing inclusion – Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)
Read advice from our colleagues from Speech, Language and Communication Needs team: Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) support – Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)
What to do if you are worried about speech and language skills?
Contact your Teacher of the Deaf (ToD) for advice.
Speak with a member of staff at your child’s school
Call the Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD)advice line 0333 321 9448 which is open Tuesday and Thursday between 2pm and 4.30pm.
Useful information from Children and Family Health Devon.
CFHD offer a virtual drop-in for parents of children 3 and under and professionals who are concerned about their speech, language, and communication development. This will be delivered via the ‘Attend Anywhere’ platform. You can view the sessions here.
Contact the Health Visiting team on:
- Exeter – 0333 234 1902
- South Devon – 0333 234 1901
- North Devon – 0333 234 1904
- East Devon – 0333 234 1903
- Torbay – 0300 333 5352
National organisations that can help
- National Deaf Children’s Society: National Deaf Children’s Society | Supporting deaf children (ndcs.org.uk)
- I Can: ICAN CHARITY
- Tiny Happy People: BBC Tiny Happy People