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American Society for Deaf Children

Families

You're not on this journey alone.

Whether your child was just identified or you've been on this path for years, here's support for every stage.

First steps for new families

  1. Take a breath

    You are part of a larger community. There's no single right path, and every family's journey is different.

  2. Start language early

    Access to a full language, like ASL, from the start helps every child learn and connect.

  3. Connect with others

    Meet other parents and Deaf adults who can share what they've learned.

  4. Know your rights

    Learn how IEP and 504 plans can protect your child's access to language at school.

Family support

Parent community & mentoring

Who it's for
Parents and caregivers of Deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
How it works
Connect with other families and Deaf mentors online and at events.
Find parent community resources

Advocacy & IEP help

Who it's for
Families preparing for school meetings or facing access barriers.
How it works
Guides and toolkits explain IEP and 504 plans in plain language.
Open IEP resources

Mental-health resources

Who it's for
Children, siblings and parents looking for emotional support.
How it works
A curated list of providers and guides familiar with Deaf experiences.
Browse mental-health resources

Family membership

Who it's for
Any family who wants ongoing support and member perks.
How it works
Join or renew yearly. Membership is handled by ASDC's checkout.
See membership

Not sure where to start?

Send us a message and a member of the ASDC team will help point you in the right direction. Contact ASDC