Communication Options for Deaf Children
There's no single right answer when it comes to communication. This guide sets out the main approaches so you can make an informed choice for your family.
One of the first and most significant decisions you'll face as a parent of a deaf child is how your family will communicate. Professionals will have views. Other parents will share what worked for them. Online forums can be fierce. The reality is that different approaches suit different children and different families, and what matters most is that your child has full access to language from the earliest possible age.
This guide describes the main options used in the UK. We haven't ranked them or recommended one over another, because that's not our place. What we have tried to do is give you enough honest information to start making a decision that feels right.
British Sign Language (BSL)
BSL is a complete, visual language with its own grammar and structure. It isn't English conveyed through hand movements — it's a distinct language, recognised by the UK government since 2003. For many deaf people, BSL is their first and preferred language.
Families who choose a BSL-led approach typically immerse themselves in the language alongside their child. That means parents, siblings, and often extended family members learning to sign. It can be a steep learning curve, but families frequently describe it as rewarding and say it brought them closer together.
The advantages of BSL include full visual access to language from birth (before any hearing technology is fitted), a strong connection to the Deaf community, and a rich cultural identity. The challenges include the time commitment for hearing family members to learn, the limited number of BSL-fluent teachers and professionals, and the fact that most of the hearing world doesn't sign.
If you're interested in BSL, our article on learning BSL as a family offers practical tips for getting started.
Spoken Language (Oral/Aural Approach)
A spoken language approach focuses on developing your child's ability to listen and speak, usually with the help of hearing aids or cochlear implants. Speech and language therapy plays a central role, and there's a strong emphasis on maximising residual hearing.
Many families choose this approach because they want their child to communicate in spoken English, attend mainstream schools, and navigate the hearing world independently. Modern hearing technology has made this more achievable than ever before, particularly for children identified early through newborn screening.
The advantages include broader access to mainstream education and social environments, and the ability to communicate with the majority of the population. The challenges include the fact that hearing technology doesn't restore typical hearing, speech and language development may be delayed compared to hearing peers, and some children — particularly those with profound deafness — may find spoken language harder to access even with technology.
Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT)
AVT is a specific form of the spoken language approach. It emphasises listening above all other senses and aims to teach deaf children to develop spoken language through hearing alone, typically using hearing aids or cochlear implants. Parents are coached to become their child's primary language model.
AVT sessions involve the therapist working with the parent and child together, teaching techniques for encouraging listening skills in everyday situations. The approach requires consistent, intensive input at home. Organisations like Auditory Verbal UK offer accredited programmes.
AVT works well for some families, particularly those whose children have good access to sound through technology and who can commit the time that the approach demands. It may be less suitable for children with additional needs or those for whom hearing technology provides limited benefit.
Total Communication
Total communication isn't a single method but a philosophy. The idea is to use whatever combination of approaches works best for the child: sign language, spoken language, lip-reading, written English, gestures, pictures, and technology. The emphasis is on flexibility and meeting the child where they are.
In practice, many families end up using a total communication approach even if they didn't set out to. A child might use BSL at home, spoken English at school, and a mixture in social settings. Some professionals worry that using multiple approaches dilutes the child's access to any single language, but many families find that it gives their child the widest possible toolkit.
Sign Supported English (SSE)
SSE uses signs borrowed from BSL alongside spoken English, following English word order. It's less a language in its own right and more a communication tool. Some families find it useful as a bridge — it helps a deaf child follow spoken conversation while they're developing their listening skills or their BSL fluency.
SSE is commonly used in educational settings where teachers sign key words while speaking. It's easier for hearing parents to pick up than full BSL, though it doesn't provide the same level of linguistic access.
Choosing What's Right for Your Family
Several things might influence your decision:
- Your child's degree and type of hearing loss. A child with mild hearing loss and well-fitted hearing aids will have different options from a child with profound bilateral deafness.
- How early the diagnosis was made. Early identification and intervention make a measurable difference to language development, whatever approach you choose.
- Your family's circumstances. The time, energy, and resources you can realistically commit matter. A demanding approach that you can't sustain is less helpful than a manageable one that you can.
- Your child's preferences. As they grow, your child will have their own views. Many deaf young people use a combination of approaches depending on the situation.
- Local services. The availability of BSL classes, speech therapy, teacher of the deaf support, and specialist provision varies by area.
It's worth talking to your child's audiologist, teacher of the deaf, and speech and language therapist. You might also benefit from speaking with other parents who've made similar decisions — our parent support groups are a good place to do that. The NDCS also has excellent, balanced information on communication choices.
You Can Change Course
Nothing has to be permanent. Many families start with one approach and adjust as their child grows and their understanding deepens. A family that begins with BSL might add spoken language after cochlear implantation. A family pursuing a spoken language approach might introduce BSL when their child starts asking to learn. The point is to keep your child's language development moving forward, and to stay open to what works.
For more practical help, explore our other resource guides or get in touch with any questions.