7 Ways to Welcome a Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child’s Siblings to LSL

The LSL Lifestyle can shift the way a family operates. While siblings don't need to participate in every aspect, things go smoother when everyone in the family understands the goals and big picture.

For older siblings, a family's shift to the LSL Lifestyle can be hard.

Our baby is an Only, but we've come across a few things that might help to welcome a sibling into the LSL Lifestyle.

#1 - Include Them in Some Sessions

Nobody likes the feeling of hearing about someone they've never met. And, our family conversation mentions our providers a lot. Introducing the sibling to the key team of providers can make them more receptive to the changes and process.

Introducing the sibling to the key team of providers can make them more receptive to the changes and process.

Kids may respond better when a teacher asks for their cooperation, than when a parent does.

Plus, it gives the sibling the opportunity to learn and ask questions from a pro! Our early intervention and speech therapy providers are so helpful at making complicated concepts simpler.

De-mystifying can do wonders.

#2 - Give Them Access to Books About LSL

Reading offers a new perspective, and the opportunity to ask questions in a safe setting.

Reading gives kids a new perspective, and gives them the opportunity to ask questions in a safe setting.

We've gathered some book lists.

• Picture books about the process of getting listening devices,
• Picture books featuring characters who use listening devices,
• Books for older kids and teens featuring characters who use listening devices.

#3 - Use Pretend Play

Toddlers and young children can benefit from make believe play.

Explain what their baby brother or sister will be experiencing by playing audiologist, or helping a doll keep her listening device on.

#4 - Give Them Some Ownership

We usually feel more invested when we have a clear role in a mission's success.

We usually feel more invested when we have a clear role in a mission's success.

Here are some tasks we do that we could see handing off to a big brother or sister.

• Choose the baby's hearing aid mold colors (plus designs and sparkles), or cochlear implant skins,
• Choose the bonnet or headband colors,
• Pick out a Ling toy,
• Pick out the Ling toy bag,
• Do a "device check" before we leave somewhere, to make sure all listening devices are accounted for!
• Read the baby some LSL picture books,
• Learn some ASL if your family is signing,
• Put on a musical instrument show,
• Choose an auditory field trip.

#5 - Introduce them to other LSL-Siblings

We rely on our LSL-parent friends to support us and understand our journey.

We can imagine siblings would feel the same way.

#6 - Help Them Find the Language to Describe the Challenges

One of our tasks as LSL parents is to give our children the tools they need to advocate for themselves. That includes brothers and sisters!

Take the stress out of socializing by discussing

• A "nutshell" description of their sibling's use of listening devices,
• Answers to common questions, like "Can he hear?" and "Do you sign?"
• Responses to common statements like "That's so sad" or "Poor baby," and
• How to handle questions that might catch them off-guard.

Equally important is teaching them to advocate for themselves too, meaning how to ask for support, attention, or help when they need it.

Equally important is teaching them to advocate for themselves too, meaning how to ask for support, attention, or help when they need it.

#7 - Think Holistically

A sibling is navigating the same lifestyle shift that we are, but doing so at a young age and with less control over the situation. That's a lot!

The hearing appointments and sessions have a way of dominating the family calendar.

But LSL doesn't require militant perfection! The professionals understand, and can advise on where the wiggle room is.

The professionals understand, and can advise on where the wiggle room is.

We were surprised about what was time sensitive, and what could be rescheduled. It's not always intuitive.

Taking time to breathe, and giving each family member what they need helps us bring our best energy to the LSL techniques.

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What works best for your family?