Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Population

The deaf/Deaf and Hard-of-hearing, Deaf-Disabled, and Deaf-Blind (DHHDDDB) population is an incredibly diverse group of people. Deafness can occur to any degree at any age, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, religion, or first language. Some DHHDDDB individuals identify strongly with others who have the shared experience of deafness. Some DHHDDDB individuals prefer to interact with the general hearing population. Still, others may transition back and forth between the Deaf and Hearing worlds.

contact me via Sorenson VideoPhone

(303)-974-9680

Deaf and Hard-of-hearing babies and children

[image: Pink flowers are blooming on a tree. Each branch has mounds of snow built up after a spring snow storm. The flowers are still blooming.]

[image: Pink flowers are blooming on a tree. Each branch has mounds of snow built up after a spring snow storm. The flowers are still blooming.]

DHHDDDB children are the focus of much intervention as soon as they are identified. Through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), they qualify for Part C services from birth to age three, which includes and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). From age three to 21, they qualify for a 504 plan and/or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to ensure they get the linguistic and academic support they need. But what about social and emotional support? According to best practices and the legal standards, counseling services can be included in those plans.

Natural Wisdom Counseling offers private services to families, often 3 years old and above.

Some counseling interventions may be appropriate for young children, while other approaches may focus on the emotional health of the parent(s), caregiver(s), and/or the family as a whole. A combination of individual, couple, and family counseling may support overall health for your deaf baby and your family. Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Mental Health (IECFMH, or IMH) is a focus area of our work.

Family members of deaf and hard-of-hearing

DHHDDDB children are not alone in their experience of social and emotional difficulties. Parents, caregivers, siblings, and other family members may experience a significant emotional impact after receiving the news that a child has a different hearing status. Questions about communication options and quality of life may consume a family's attention. I believe support for parents, siblings, and families is crucial for the support of the DHHDDDB child.

“To look deep into your child’s eyes and see in him both yourself and something utterly strange, and then to develop a zealous attachment to every aspect of him, is to achieve parenthood’s self-regarding, yet unselfish, abandon.” ”
— Andrew Solomon, "Far from the Tree"

deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals

[Image: A mountain meadow is filled with bright pink Indian Paintbrush flowers and other yellow and white flowers. The grass and the pine trees at the edge of the meadow are all green. The sky is white.]

[Image: A mountain meadow is filled with bright pink Indian Paintbrush flowers and other yellow and white flowers. The grass and the pine trees at the edge of the meadow are all green. The sky is white.]

DHHDDDB individuals grow up with a unique experience. It can be difficult to find a therapist who has accessible language skills, who is knowledgeable about the DHHDDDB experience, and exposed to Deaf culture. Finding a counselor that does not require an interpreter (or a detailed explanation about what it is like to be DHHDDDB) is well worth it.

I provide sessions in spoken English, Cued Speech, and American Sign Language. I am a flexible communicator and can adapt to other sign systems. However you communicate, it is crucial that we can understand each other.