When a child is diagnosed as severely or profoundly deaf, the parents' first question is often "Will she be able to talk?"

It is a very natural question; all parents normally expect to share their language with all their children. We believe that not only is it their right but that, for the vast majority of deaf children, it is a perfectly valid option. If this option interests you we hope you will find the information in this section helpful. Also look at our list of frequently asked questions.

Information leaflets:

1. The main features of the Natural Aural Approach
2. Just like every other child
3. Reading and the deaf child
4. Making the Natural Aural Approach work

Factsheets:

1. My child is deaf - what can I do

explores a number of questions that arise

2. Everybody knows there are things deaf children can't do...

explodes a number of myths surrounding childhood deafness

3. I like my hearing aids

discusses the importance of hearing aids

4. Learning to talk

explains how to help your deaf child talk

5. Understanding hearing loss

introduces some of the basic concepts

6. Hearing aids - an introduction

does what it says!

Topic sheets:

1. Talking with deaf babies, naturally

This leaflet emphasises the need for natural interaction between baby and adults to continue after a diagnosis of deafness and adds hints about some of the practical difficulties like dealing with hearing aids in tiny ears.

Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Hearing aids
3. Talking with your baby
4. Who does what?
5. Hearing screening for babies
6. What's in a word
7. Sources of information

2. Talking together

Most children learn to talk so naturally that we rarely think about the process. This leaflet looks at how a child develops language and ways in which parents can support this process for their deaf child.

Contents:

1. What is language
2. Language - the early stages
3. What will help my child learn to talk?
4. Towards a perfect sentence
5. Good ideas for language learning

If you want to find out more, read :

Choosing to Talk

for why we think choosing the Natural Aural Approach is sensible

Contents:

1. The Natural Aural Approach
2. How do we know it works?
3. Deaf children DO hear
4. Speaking for THEMSELVES
5. The child not the deafness
6. A Deaf identity?
7. Discussing the options
8. Your Right to Choose

Speaking for ourselves

tells you how youngsters are doing within the Natural Aural Approach

There is also a description of the Natural Aural Approach and About DELTA tells you about us.

We provide a range of resources to help families who want their severely or profoundly deaf children to develop natural and effective spoken language.

We also provide more detailed information for those who are interested in the philosophy and practice of the Natural Aural Approach.

We have a lot of information to share and it may be difficult to take it all in on screen. If you would like copies of our free, printed information packs, 'Choosing to Talk' and/or 'Learning to Talk' please contact us on 0845 1081437 or email us with your requirements and full postal address. Most of our materials are free to individuals.

Your Choice: Their Future

Wendy Lynas has produced a guideDeaf Children Talking, the Parents' Guide to the Natural Aural Approach for families to the three most common communication options - auditory-oral (which includes the Natural Aural Approach), Total Communication and British Sign Language. Until recently, Senior Lecturer in Deaf Studies at the University of Manchester, Dr. Lynas draws on her extensive knowledge to both describe and evaluate them on the basis of recent research.

A loose-leaf, self-help guide, full of practical, easy to read information on all aspects of helping deaf children to listen and talk. Described by the Times Educational Supplement as "the type of resource which parents find invaluable".

'Sound Sense' (video)

This features young, severely and profoundly deaf people and their parents talking about themselves and their choices. Experts explain, briefly, the key components of the Natural Aural approach and children are seen at school, at play and looking towards their futures. The video was made in association with the Ewing Foundation.

Sound Futures: An exploration of the Natural Aural Approach (DVD & booklet)

This thirty two minute DVD focuses on the lives of a number of severely or profoundly deaf children, young people and their families.

Understanding The Natural Aural Approach

This pack builds on the material in Learning to Talk / Talking to Learn containing more detailed descriptions of the Natural Aural Approach philosophy, policies and practice.

The Natural Aural Approach to the Education of Deaf Children : A Definition

is a single page statement of the key components of the approach.

The Natural Aural Approach - A Statement of Principles

details the underlying philosophy of the approach and what distinguishes it from other auditory/oral practice.

Reading and Hearing Impaired Children

reports on research by Sue Lewis comparing the reading levels achieved by a 1991 group of deaf school leavers with those in the Conrad Report.

The Natural Aural Approach and Inclusion

explains the interaction between these two philosophies and practices.

The Right to Hear and Be Heard, DELTA's Education Policy

sets out the case for adoption of the Natural Aural Approach in more local education authorities.

The Natural Aural Approach and Mental Health :

looks at the issues surrounding concern about the mental health of the young deaf.

Facts about Decibels :

designed for display, this makes sense of the numbers around the level of hearing loss.

Now We're Talking- DEAF CHILDREN CAN

is a collection of leaflets produced by DELTA in association with the Ewing Foundation, aimed at professionals, other than teachers, involved with deaf children. These include:

Achieving at Mainstream

is a summary of the Ewing Foundation Study of educational outcomes for youngsters educated through the Natural Aural Approach (Also available in Welsh and Arabic)

Speaking for Ourselves in 2003:

updated profiles of five deaf youngsters speaking for themselves and their parents.

Speaking out about Talking

which covers the same ground for professionals as 'Choosing to Talk' does for families,

Parents Speaking Out

describing the experiences of five families

Speaking Out about Technology

which explains the contribution that technological advances have made

Dreams Spoken Here,

a video from the Oral Deaf Association of the U.S.A. An extremely powerful and emotional presentation from American parents whose deaf children are talking. Inspirational but not to be watched without tissues near to hand and probably better left for some families until they have come to terms with their new situation. (Free)