The Silent Garden

By: Paul W. Ogden, David H. Smith

Narrated by: Dave Sampson

For over 30 years, The Silent Garden has offered parents of deaf children the support and unbiased information needed to fully realize their children’s potential. This completely revised third edition is a must-have resource that will help parents navigate the complex and unique challenges they face. Accessible, practical, and above all open-minded, The Silent Garden educates parents quickly and thoroughly about the many conflicting points of view on what is best for their deaf children.

Authors Paul W. Ogden and David H. Smith, who are both deaf, present examples and research that guide parents through often unfamiliar territory. From coping mechanisms for parents to advice on creating healthy home environments, the authors cover a range of topics that impact day-to-day actions and decision making. The topic of communication is discussed extensively, as communication access and language development are crucial not only for intellectual growth but also for positive family and social relationships. The authors look at American Sign Language, listening and spoken language, written English, and various other modes of communication available to deaf children. Different educational options are presented, and technology - including the debate about cochlear implants - is reviewed. Deaf children with special needs are considered here as well. Each topic is accompanied by real-life stories that offer further insight.

Always encouraging, The Silent Garden empowers parents to be the best advocates for their deaf children. Throughout, the authors emphasize that each choice is highly personal, and they stress that all deaf children have the potential to lead rich, productive, and exciting lives.

Also available in Spanish - El Jardín Silencioso: Una guía para los padres para criar a un niño sordo is a condensed Spanish edition that features the first five chapters of The Silent Garden. Topics covered include coping mechanisms for parents, creating healthy family environments, fostering independence, and understanding the perspectives of siblings.

©2016 Paul W. Ogden, David H. Smith (P)2018 Gallaudet University Press

Critic reviews

"This book provides readers with invaluable insights to raising a deaf child and discusses thought provoking issues and challenges related to parenting. The authors share a significant number of anecdotal stories of deaf children, their parents, and families, from diverse experiences and perspectives. These personal stories will be helpful to new parents trying to determine the best approaches to raising their deaf child. We expect that this book will not only support effective parenting but will also allow Deaf people, parents of deaf children, and their hearing counterparts to reflect on their own experiences as they read it." (T. Alan Hurwitz, president emeritus, Gallaudet University, and Vicki T. Hurwitz, retired director, Outreach Center, Rochester School for the Deaf)

"All too often parents of newly identified Deaf and hard of hearing children contact my office seeking guidance on many of the fundamental issues and questions that Paul Ogden and David Smith address in the third edition of The Silent Garden. I will share this insightful book with new parents knowing that this is a publication that speaks to their hearts and souls in a powerful and truthful manner." (Gerard Buckley, president, National Technical Institute for the Deaf)

"I don’t often come across a resource that thoughtfully looks at the decisions families must make and the complexities of the journey of raising a child who is Deaf/Hard of Hearing. In our world at Hands & Voices, we support the choices that families make across the continuums of hearing loss, communication, and language; social/emotional/identity issues; and school considerations/placement. This book takes a look at all of these aspects in a very respectful way. I particularly like that the authors clearly differentiate between what is known through evidence-based research and what is their opinion, something that is often blurred in other resources, to the confusion of the reader. I would recommend this book to all families who are beginning their journey." (Janet DesGeorges, executive director, Hands & Voices)