What is important to know about Deaf consumers

1
Assessing Deaf Consumers

• What is important to know about Deaf consumers?

2
When did this consumer become Deaf?

• Pre-lingual
• Post-lingual
• Opportunities for language development and world
  view.

3
What caused the Deafness?

• Are there co-morbid disabilities?
• How does the cause effect family dynamics?
• Was the cause a trauma?
• Is the deafness progressive?

4
At what age was the Deafness discovered?

• What occurred between becoming Deaf and
  discovering deafness?
• Attitude toward the consumer
• Intervention opportunities?

5
At what age did language begin?

• Between discovery and formal language development
  many consumers report a great time lapse.

6
What mode of communication was selected and who
in the family communicated with the consumer?

• 90-95 of all Deaf children are born into hearing
  families.
• Many consumers report that one or two family
  members made efforts to communicate in an
  effective manner.

7
Where did the Deaf consumer get educated?

• Mainstreamed? With or without an Interpreter?
• State School for the Deaf
• Private School for the Deaf
• No education

8
How effective was the education?

• Did the consumer learn to read and write English?
• Do they feel like they got a good education?
• How do they feel about themselves from a stand
  point of intelligence?

9
Was this consumer encouraged to meet age
appropriate tasks?

• What chores were they expected to do?
• Did they have age appropriate expectations such
  as driving at 16years and getting a job?
• When did they get their first job?

10
Was this consumer held accountable for mishaps
and behavior?

• Many consumers report being let off the hook
  because the Police Officer didnt want to have to
  get an Interpreter.
• Parents who dont communicate well and have guilt
  about a Deaf child tend to under discipline.

11
Who are they using Alcohol and other drugs with?

• Deaf friends are hard to replace
• Where do they go for new friendships?

12
Was this person exposed to prevention messages?

• Think about the messages you were exposed to
  growing up. Were they captioned? Did the Dare
  officer have an Interpreter?

13
On the Assessment Where do you put the Deafness?

• Throughout the entire assessment you need to
  consider how this persons deafness impacted each
  area of the assessment. This will help you
  develop an effective plan for treatment.