You will meet people who are passionately convinced that they know what is right for all severely and profoundly deaf children — teachers, social workers, doctors, audiologists, adult deaf people, even your relatives, neighbours or friends.

Some of them will be saying “you must use sign language with a child as deaf as yours”. They will be encouraging you to learn to use it yourself and expecting other family members to do the same.

Others will be saying “let’s try both, sign language and talking at the same time”. This is known as Total Communication and, at first glance, it can look like a good idea but check out the facts.

You will want to talk with them and think about their arguments and reasons for their views. Here are some suggestions to help:

• What is their evidence? Are there facts and figures to back up what they are saying?
• Stories of individual children are important to add the human touch, but you need to know how most children progress.
• Do the children learn to speak well?
• How well do they learn to read?
• What examinations do they take?
• Visit the school the children attend - talk to the children and ask to see the work they are doing.
• How does the deaf children’s work compare with hearing children of the same age?
• How much time do the children attend the same lessons as hearing children?
• Do they have hearing friends?
• What is not being said? Are you hearing about doing well at school, getting good jobs, living ordinary lives - without society having to adapt radically to make that possible?
• What are the practical implications for your child and your family? Will the school be local? Will your child have to go away to school, perhaps at the secondary stage?
• Is this life the one you want for your child? Or is it one you think s/he and you will have to’make do with’ because s/he is deaf?

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