1. CSD 3000 DEAFNESS IN SOCIETY Topic 5 FAMILY DYNAMICS When a Child is Deaf

2. Families David Luterman’s characteristics of healthy families: Communication among all members is clear and direct Roles and responsibilities are clearly delineated and the family allows for flexibility in role allocation The family members accept limits for the resolution of conflict Intimacy is prevalent and is a function of frequency, equal-powered transactions There is a healthy balance between change and the maintenance of stability

3. Diagnosis Stages of grief 1. Denial Deaf children look normal Deaf infants act normal Disagreement among professionals

4. Diagnosis Stages of grief 1. Denial 2. Anger 3. Depression 4. Acceptance “Welcome to Holland”

5. When Things go Wrong Instead of acceptance: Overprotection Wishful Acceptance Indifference

6. Attitude, Attachment, and Coping Coping 1. Fathers experience similar degrees of stress as mothers (Meadow- Orlans, 1994) 2. Mothers of deaf children report higher levels of stress when compared to mothers of hearing children (Quittner, Glueckauf, and Jackson, 1990) 3. Meadow-Orlans (1995) found that mother of deaf children report greater general life stress and depression compared to mothers of hearing children 4. Parents of children with additional disabilities experience higher levels of stress and depression (Meadow-Orlans, 1990) and these families are more likely to be characterized as dysfunctional (Powers, Elliot, Patterson, Shaw, and Taylor, 1995) 5. Parents using sign lang can be a moderator of stress (Hagborg, 1989) 6. Parental stress increases as the child becomes older (Hagorg, 1989)

7. Coping Marital Conflict Higher divorce rates Higher rates of marital dissatisfaction Henggeler, Watson, Whelan, and Malone (1990) Meadow-Orlans (1990) Essay 2.1

8. Child Behavior and Discipline Deaf children miss out on the incidental learning of child behavior and discipline Adams and Tidwell (1988 & 1989) Compared discipline strategies of parents with deaf kids who considered themselves successful at handling their kids misbehavior compared to parents who did not consider themselves successful

9. Siblings Negative traits: Anger Jealousy Embarrassment Guilt Sorrow Inadequacy Fear of the future Isolation

10. Siblings Positive traits: Greater independence, patience, maturity, responsibility, and compassion More tolerance and understanding Sense of pride Acceptance of responsibility Family closeness Unselfishness

11. Siblings Support groups are able to allow normally hearing siblings to: 1. meet other siblings in a relaxed and enjoyable setting 2. find out that other siblings have the same questions, feelings, and concerns 3. share problems, ways to solve them, and ways to cope 4. get information about deafness and other disabilities and to answer questions 5. get information without involving parents 6. obtain reassurance and support.