My grandson is 4 years old. Because of his behavior we had been told he was deaf.?

Question

He started in a special preschool this year and although he does have mild hearing loss he is not deaf. He is now very vocal but he cannot form words, cannot be understood and is a very (almost too) good little boy. He was a good and contented baby of a pregnancy with gestational diabetes. His best friend from school is autistic and has no speach ability. Ryan does not have any repettitive motion behavior and seems to be very gentle and kind. He does not complain when his 7 yr. old sister gets something or gets more attention. He has learned his shapes, colors (except black) and can write his first name. He is content playing by himself or with his sister and he is a VERY sound sleeper but not a bedwetter. Any ideas from "special" parents that might help us know which way we should look for answers? Thanks, Sharon

Answer 1

A friend of mine has a daughter that is partially deaf, she is in kindergarden and she wears a hearing aid device that connects from her to the teacher, so she can understand what the teacher is saying. She had to repeat kindergarden because they were weighting for the hearing aid to come in and be approved by the school board. It sounds like you have a very good bright boy that just needs a little help hearing what the teacher is saying. The school ended up having to pay for the hearing device for her and the teacher and now she is doing great in school.

Answer 2

Hi!

Well, I am Teacher of Pre-school and I think he needs attention, love and comprehension…  He must understand he is so "special" for all family (especially parents) and friends…

He must understand he’s loved for everybody…

I think he needs to play with other children in him home… Not only in the school… To practice simple sports like football, swimming…

Does he have computer? If he does, he can play educational games in the Internet…

He can try this…

- Visual Activities

http://www.kidzone.ws/kindergarten.htm

http://www.dltk-teach.com/

http://www.first-school.ws

http://www.billybear4kids.com/

Educational Games

http://www.wartoft.nu/software/sebran/

http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/Games/i...

- Images for colouring

http://smartkids.terra.com.br/colorir/in...

http://www.printpaint.com.br

http://web.educom.pt/~pr1305/primav.m.ht...

http://www.xaxado.com.br/turma/turma_cap...

http://www.1papacaio.com.br

http://www.billybear4kids.com/animal/who...

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/spring/mgly...

http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mfarmpo...

http://www.ciaecia.com.br/index.html

http://www.coloring.ws/cartoons.htm

http://www.kidsdomain.com/resources/prin...

http://www.first-school.ws

http://www.first-school.ws/theme/cp_comh...

http://www.comunidadeshalom.com/imagens_...

http://www.gamasites.com/criancas/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.ht...

http://www.companhiadozu.interdinamica.p...

http://www.teatroconstrucao.org/838

I am Teacher of Pre-school in Brazil and I have a very cool site! There are crafts that your grandson could do, but my site is in Portuguese ... Do you speak or understand Portuguese?

There are photos of the crafts in the site ... If you can, translate using Google...

http://paginas.terra.com.br/arte/raiodel...

Kisses for you and your grandson!

Carmen

Answer 3

I am concerned that he is not yet forming words.  If he only has mild hearing loss it is odd that he is not forming words yet.  I hope you are already working with a speech/language pathologist, and if not, I would get in touch with one immediately.  This is often paid by insurance or through your local school system if they have a Pre-K program.  Also, the social aspect of having an autistic best friend may be impairing his abilities.  This is not always the case, but I hope he is being socialized around children who do not have speech issues.  Has he ever been tested for autism?  That's great that he can write his name!  Best of luck!

Answer 4

See your health visitor or G.P. The child has to be seen to make any comment. I wish you well.

Answer 5

Does he have hearing aids?  If not he needs them.  Even with a mild hearing loss you can see these symptoms of delayed speech and poor speech production.  He is unable to hear the words properly so how can he be expected to speak them properly.  He probably also needs speech therapy in addition to the hearing aids to get him caught up to his peers.  With children learning to talk hearing is VERY important.  An adult with mild hearing loss may not choose to get a hearing aid, but for a child it is necessary not only now in learning to talk, but for learning in school etc.  

I was born with mild - moderate hearing loss and had 10 words in my vocabulary at 3 years old when my hearing loss was finally found.  With hearing aids and speech therapy I was caught up and in regular school classes by Kindegarten.

Answer 6

I have been teaching deaf and hard of hearing children for about 20 years.   I am currently a teacher of the deaf & hard of hearing in the infants and toddlers program for our county school system.  It has been my experience that the children with mild hearing loss do best when amplified with hearing aids.  It may also be beneficial to have the teacher wear a microphone that supplies sound through a sound-field or Fm system through the child's hearing aid.  Children with hearing loss do best when exposed to very strong appropriate language models.  A small carpeted classroom, with a small class of clearly speaking students and teacher can be very helpful.  Speech therapy may be provided through the school, however many insurances will cover additional therapy when needed.  I also suggest the use of Cued Speech.  It will not only clarify what you are saying to your grandson, but will help him articulate and be understood as well.  We strive for 100% understood communication at all times. You may find more information about Cued Speech from the National Cued Speech Assocation website.  You grandson could be a "sound" sleeper because he does not become distracted by the normal noises that may wake others. Good Luck!