How we help - Support

Parents have told us that having the opportunity to speak with other parents when learning to take on the role of parenting a deaf child can be a great help. We also know that often the best source of support and information comes from other parents with a child with a hearing loss.
Parent Support groups are an enjoyable way of meeting and talking to other parents with deaf children.

What is a support group?
A support group is a place where people in  similar circumstances can get together, let off steam and relax by sharing experiences, feelings, ideas, concerns and problems.

The groups can be formal, informal or a mixture of both. A support group can be anything the group wants it to be. Groups may meet at someone’s home, or a community hall and other groups can be linked to together by the Internet.

What can a parent get out of a support group?
By attending a support group, parents are giving themselves well-deserved time out. It can be hard to find people who fully understand the demands of raising a deaf child. For many parents, it is difficult to find someone with whom they can share their feelings.

A support group may break down the feelings of isolation by providing an opportunity to meet people who understand what it is like and will therefore be able to offer support and encouragement when it is needed.

For parents, belonging to a support group may offer the opportunity to:

• Learn about practical aspects of caring for your child
• Share experiences and feelings to gain support from others in a similar situation
• Finding out about services in their area and how to use them
• Understand more about hearing loss and the needs of their child
• Find information that assists in the day-to-day issues of raising a deaf child.

Where can you find a support group?
There are a number of support groups for parents of deaf children in NSW - Dubbo & District Parent Support Group for the Deaf/Hearing Impaired Inc, North Shore Deaf Children’s Association, The Mothers' Club in Marayong (Phone: 02 9626 5137), the PoDs (Parents of Deaf) based in Lismore and Canberra Deaf Kids. Aussie Deaf Kids offers an online support group for families.

What can PCDE offer?
PCDE would like to assist families in other areas to get together in a formal or informal group and enjoy the benefits that belonging to a support group offers. It is one of our major goals for 2007. Please contact us and we can provide you with support, information and assistance to start a group in your area.