Episode 79: How to be Inclusive to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

In this episode, Jodi chats with Dr. Lilach Saperstein, who is an Audiologist that lives in Israel. Dr. Saperstein has a podcast called The All About Audiology Podcast, which just recently celebrated its 3 year anniversary!  In this episode, Dr. Saperstein shares some of her expertise on children who are deaf and Hard of Hearing. The two discuss how you can help your child be aware and sensitive to their peers whose hearing is different than theirs and how one can promote such inclusivity within your parenting styles. Motherhood is complicated enough as it is and this episode works to demystify disability, so you can act confidently and better understand the needs of those who are Hard of Hearing.

About Our Guest:
Dr. Lilach Saperstein is an audiologist and parent educator working with families of deaf and hard of hearing children to integrate their emotional journey with information and resources. Dr. Saperstein is the host of the All About Audiology podcast, which has been downloaded over 50,000 times, offering personal interviews related to audiology, communication, parenting, connection and advocacy. She received her doctorate of audiology from the CUNY Graduate Center in New York in 2017. She is also an instructor at Touro College. Dr. Saperstein lives in Israel, where she and her husband are raising three bilingual daughters.

Show Notes:
2:42 The basics of parenting a child who is deaf or Hard of Hearing
“I’ve found that when parents come to me, or they find [my] podcast, it’s often because they’re frantically trying to get resources, information, and connections. It’s something that’s not as common as most other diagnoses … this is something that’s a little farther removed and can be really isolating for the family.”

7:08 How can we promote inclusivity for children who are Hard of Hearing?
“Everybody needs to Google one particular word, that is: ableism. If you have not heard this word, it’s time to get educated on it.”

14:29 The importance of inclusivity
“As we get older we get to understand each other and celebrate each other, and we learn how to understand what’s best for one another.”

19:09 Staying aware of potential hearing difficulties in your children
“Yes, go to the audiologist, but you wanna make sure you’re going to someone that tests children.”

Connect with Dr. Lilach Saperstein:
Podcast

Retreat sign up:
allaboutaudiology.com/retreat

Membership work:
https://drlilach.teachable.com/p/connect-advocate

Facebook
Instagram

Email Jodi at:
jodi@loveadventuremom.com

Credits:
Host: Jodi Fried
Guest: Dr. Lilach Saperstein
Editors: Iris Nelson and Gabrielle Topping