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Children with hearing loss demonstrate unique patterns of learning and communication strengths and challenges. Their struggles can affect their self-esteem and motivation. How can we help our children understand their own learning styles and identify their gifts, interests and affinities to improve confidence and make them better self-advocates? At the St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf, all students participate in a "demystification" process that educates them about their distinctive abilities as well as challenges. Demystification puts boundaries around weak areas, helps children use strengths to compensate for weaknesses and teaches them to ask for what they need. It makes students, from primary through high school and beyond, full participants in their own learning. We will discuss the process of demystification and show how children respond to this powerful technique, which can be used by parents, classroom and itinerant teachers, speech-language pathologists, and other individuals working with the child.
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