The diagnosis of deafness in a child

Communicating to parents the diagnosis of an irreversible disease or disability in their child is a difficult task for medical practitioners. In order for the parents, as well as the physician, to cope constructively with the severe psychological consequences, disappointment, and grief, it is critical that there be a clear understanding of common reactions to such trauma. Beginning with mixed feelings about the pregnancy common to most parents, through birth, and up to the actual diagnosis, important events take place that are examined with regard to the parents' final coping dynamics. Common reactions include denial, isolation of affect, feelings of impotence, questioning the reasons for deafness, turning to religion, blaming the doctor, guilt, "doctor shopping," depression, and others. Constructive coping by parents can only begin after the irreversibility of the condition is acknowledged and the implications understood and accepted. Beyond this, an understanding of what lies ahead for their child is important. In this regard, habilitation and education, if not properly planned, often represent a greater liability to deaf children and their families than the deafness itself. This is due largely to a pervasive adherence to oralism and mainstreaming at the expense of more appropriate total communication specialized approach. Thus, parent counseling and the use of total communication together offer the best promise for the success of deaf children in reaching their potential.