Current Status and Issues in Early Intervention for Children with Deafand Hard of Hearing in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the current status of early intervention for preschool children with deaf and hard of hearing in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and consider the issues of early intervention for children with deaf and hard of hearing. A questionnaire survey was conducted among special-needs schools and related institutions that provide education for children with deaf and hard of hearing in Ho Chi Minh City, and complete responses were obtained from eight institutions. The survey revealed a lack of equipment and facilities for education of the deaf and hard of hearing, as well as insufficient teacher expertise. Teachers in charge of early intervention also noted that it was often difficult to obtain the cooperation of parents and families for various reasons, such as financial difficulties. For the future, it will be important to rebuild the system of collaboration around the core institutions.