Mrs Tegan Howell1, Associate Professor Shani Dettman2, Associate Professor Valerie Sung1,3,4
1Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Australia, 2University of Melbourne, Department of Speech and Audiology, Parkville, Australia, 3University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics, Parkville, Australia, 4Royal Children’s Hospital, Centre for Community Child Health, Parkville, Australia
Biography:
Tegan Howell is a PhD candidate and speech-language pathologist with extensive experience working with deaf and hard of hearing children, incorporating English and Australian Sign Language (Auslan) to support language development. Her research experience includes five years in various roles at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). Her PhD at the University of Melbourne and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute focuses on the early uptake of Auslan in deaf and hard of hearing children. Her research was funded by the NextSense Elisabeth Murdoch Scholarship in 2023.
Abstract
Background: Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children may experience communication delays, irrespective of early intervention (EI) and technology. Australian Sign Language (Auslan) is one approach in EI to address language delays, but use remains low. Previous reports suggested less than 10% of Australian families use Auslan. With recent changes to Australian EI, the present study examined the current use of Auslan.
Methods: This retrospective study analysed data from 997 families that participated in the Victorian Childhood Hearing Longitudinal Databank (VicCHILD) between 2012 and 2021. Hearing and family demographics were collated, and their association with parental reports of communication approach was examined.
Aims: The first aim was to identify the proportion of families who used Auslan compared to spoken language at home with their DHH child. The second aim was to explore relationships between hearing and family factors, and use of Auslan.
Results: There were 87 out of 997 parents (8.7%) who reported using Auslan. Of these 87, 26 (2.6%) used Auslan as their primary language, and 61 (6.1%) used Auslan as their secondary language. Markers of hearing loss (bilateral, profound, and hearing aid/CI use), family history of deafness and attendance at EI were associated with Auslan use.
Conclusion: The study found that 8.7% of families reported using Auslan at home, similar to past reports in the literature. Despite recent changes in Australian EI to incorporate Auslan, small numbers of families are using it. Further research is required to understand parental decision-making and family demographics regarding the use of Auslan.