Beyond parent education: the impact of extended family dynamics in deaf education

The impact of childhood deafness on family dynamics, with particular attention given to the influence and role of grandparents, is discussed. Models for the successful involvement of parents in the education of deaf children are already in place and can be applied to extended family, especially grandparents, with promising results. An informal questionnaire focusing on grandparents' support, involving 10 hearing parents of deaf infants and preschool children, is reviewed.