Hello Friends!
Hands & Voices is here to support you and your family on your journey you are on with your DHH child.
Lets talk about stress.
We are all stressed at one point or another, and we’ve had resources on this page before about self-care. We as adults need to be our best selves to best support our children.
What does stress look like for our children?
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children stress can come from many places:
- Listening Fatigue
- Academics
- Social Pressures
- Language Barriers
- Peer Relationships
- Struggles with Identity
Among many many other everyday childhood stressors!
What does this look like for our kids?
Key take aways: Babies as young as 6 months old have been documented to be affected by stress in their environment. Big feelings are a lot to handle and the world is very confusing! There’s a lot you can do to support as their parent, creating a stable environment, having routines.
Key Take aways:
School age children exhibit stress in ways that they may not communicate with the actual words “I’m stressed” that can include stomach aches, avoiding things they used to enjoy, nightmares. There is also the “good stress” and “bad stress”, that needs to be balanced, how much is motivating and when does it become detrimental to your child? Reducing stress by giving breaks and having space to debrief and unwind after a long day.
Key Take aways:
Changes in eating and sleeping habits, withdrawal from socializing. Setting up regular check ins and giving space can be strategies to support. You know your child best, what can work for you?
What is a strategy or activity that you do in your home to reduce stress and support your DHH child? Share below!
Together we can,
Ms. Leslie