Have you ever wondered about...
Growing Up Without Hearing (Series 1)
BRIAN'S SCHOOL
Brian is eight years old. Brian is hearing impaired, too. Brian's mom and dad don't know why he can't hear well. They had his
hearing tested when he was a baby. Brian started wearing his hearing aids when he was very young.
When Brian was an infant, his parents had special help in a parent-infant program. The teachers helped Brian's parents learn
about deafness and about ways to communicate with Brian.
Brian doesn't go to a school for deaf children. He's not in classes with other deaf children either. Brian is mainstreamed with
hearing children in regular classes. Remember Maria was mainstreamed for part of her school day? This is called partial
mainstreaming. Brian goes to school with hearing children all day long. This is full mainstreaming.
 | | The teacher talks with students about a science project. |
You may wonder how Brian does this. Isn't it hard for Brian to know what's going on? Brian can hear many things with his
hearing aids. But he still needs help to get along in the classroom. There are many ways Brian's teachers and classmates can help
him. They make sure Brian knows who is talking. They try to have one person talk at a time. They repeat announcements for him. The
teacher faces him and stands near him when she gives directions. Sometimes another child copies notes for Brian so he can watch
the teacher in class.
Brian also gets help from a special teacher called a resource teacher. The resource teacher comes to Brian's school three times
each week. She talks with Brian's teachers. She shows them ways to help Brian learn. She also gives Brian special help in certain
subjects. Mainstreaming isn't possible for all deaf children. It isn't always easy for Brain. He has to work hard. He needs to
concentrate in class. But Brian feels good about his school.
BRIAN'S FAMILY
At home, Brian spends much of his time with his best friend, Mark. They play and ride their bikes. They go to the swimming pool
in the summer. Brian does different chores around the house.
 |
| Brian's alarm clock flashes to wake him up in the
morning. |
Sometimes his mother and father worry about his hearing loss. They pay very close attention to his schoolwork. They explain
things he doesn't understand. They make sure he can see them and hear them when they are talking. They take Brian to interesting
places where he can learn about new things. Brian's parents are teaching him how to get along with a hearing loss.
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