Empowering Families of Deaf Children: A Qualitative Study on Parental Experiences in Early Intervention

Ensuring the earliest possible start in early intervention for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children is crucial, given the uncertainties families face upon learning of their child’s diagnosis. The multitude of decisions to foster the child’s linguistic competency requires substantial support for families navigating this process. This study delves into the parent empowerment aspect within Maine’s coordinated early intervention process, Exploring Language and Communication Opportunities (ELCO). This study aimed to explore parent’s experiences during their participation in Maine’s statewide, coordinated, and comprehensive early intervention process for DHH children: ELCO process. Using a phenomenological approach, the researcher explored family experiences through semi-structured interviews. Identified themes across families indicate a sense of empowerment during early visits in intervention, the decision-making process, meeting individuals with lived experiences, and their ability to document their own choices for their child and family. The findings could significantly impact family-centered early intervention practices for DHH children by emphasizing the importance of comprehensive information, support for parents’ decisions, and overall well-being.