Perception of untrained sign language users: experiences of deaf children’s parents communicating through sign language

Abstract

Families with Deaf children need strong parent-child relationships to cope with the challenges that come with rearing a Deaf child. For parents of Deaf children, learning and using sign language generally ranks as the most crucial link in advancing and integrating their child into society. The aim of this student was to explore untrained sign language user’s experiences, challenges, barriers, and attitudes on their communication journey to use sign language with a focus on parents of Deaf children. In this paper, we aimed to explore the experiences of hearing families raising deaf children without sign language. Communication is vital in any child development but it may be more pertinent to a deaf child. The majority of deaf children are born to hearing parents, some of whom are reaching out in profound anguish through ignorance and poverty. Here use method of Qualitative, phenomenological, in-depth interviews with 10 parents. The findings revealed familiar pain points communication barriers, emotional discontent, no training opportunities, and lack of resources. In spite of these difficulties, parents were emotionally resilient and expressed the willingness to be with their children. It not only allowed them to communicate, but it also created bonds, expanded the social skills of the child and also boosted their educational accomplishments. Attitude toward sign language, Needs and importance of sign language These scales showed improvement skills in these parents over a period of time. The study called for greater access to sign language courses and support services. It encourages speech language therapists and educators to collaborate and create inclusive, enabling environments for deaf children and their families. Keywords: Deaf, Sign Language, Parent-child Communication, Untrained Parents, Hearing Loss