[Social-emotional competences in deaf and hard-of-hearing toddlers – results from an empirical study with two current parent questionnaires].
Hearing loss in the deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) is associated with an elevated risk of problems in socio-emotional development. Early assessment is necessary to start timely interventions. The present study tested two parent questionnaires that allow evaluation of the socio-emotional development of toddlers from a competence perspective.



128 parents with DHH toddlers aged 18 to 36 months were asked to evaluate the development of their children and their own educational competences using two preliminary German adaptations of internationally well-known social-emotional assessment measures.



In addition to a series of results within the normal range, the data also reveal some specific problems in the socio-emotional development of children with hearing loss. DHH toddlers in particular show more problems developing empathic competences and maintaining relations with peers. DHH toddlers with additional handicaps have a higher risk of developing socio-emotional problems. Parental responsivity proves to be important regarding the development of socio-emotional competences in toddlers.



The presented data strongly confirm results available from deaf research regarding the development and promotion of DHH children. The two questionnaires used in this study provide the opportunity to evaluate socio-emotional competences in DHH toddlers and to start appropriate interventions very early.
1 Institut für Sonderpädagogik, Pädagogische Hochschule Heidelberg.
Manfred
M
Hintermair
1 Institut für Sonderpädagogik, Pädagogische Hochschule Heidelberg.
Klaus
K
Sarimski
1 Institut für Sonderpädagogik, Pädagogische Hochschule Heidelberg.
Markus
M
Lang
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012922:Social Change; D066107:Social Skills; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
hearing-impaired children; parent questionnaire; parental responsivity; socio-emotional development