In St Petersburg, we support a Club for pre-school children with impaired hearing and their parents. Timofei is nearly three and has been a member of the Club with his mama for a few months. He is one of several club members who have additional needs as well as being deaf. Fortunately, because the Club is part of the Early Intervention Institute in St Petersburg, his family has been able to access support from an Occupational Therapist, which has very quickly made a huge difference.
When Timofei came to the first session, he wasn’t able to join in. He ran around, climbed on the table, tried to all the toys out at once. The local Deaf Centre had said they couldn’t work with him. His mama was in tears. Our colleagues consulted with a specialist in sensory integration and tried putting him in a weighted jacket to help him feel where the limits of his body are. The effect was almost immediate. Timofei stopped running around and shouting. He was able to play alongside other children and was making contact with the adults too.
Now that Timofei is calmer he has been able to be fitted with a hearing aid. Life is getting easier for his mama too. She grew up in a children’s home, and dealing with her son’s hyperactivity was particularly stressful for her. Our colleagues have given her time with a psychologist to discuss how she can help him regulate his behaviour. She is also getting to know other deaf parents, making friends, and celebrating her son’s progress. We look forward to seeing what Timofei will achieve in the year ahead.
