ASEAN Social Work Journal
Vol. 14 No. 1, June 2026

Communication barriers and the need for support for deaf children in some specialized educational institutions in Vietnam: Deaf children's communication barriers and need

Thi Minh Phuong Tran (Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Dalat University (DLU), Vietnam)
Thi Thai Lan Nguyen (VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanity)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jun 2026

Abstract

Deaf children encounter significant challenges in communication that affect their learning, psychological well-being, and social integration, particularly in contexts where adequate support systems are limited. This study examines the communication barriers experienced by deaf children in specialized educational institutions in Vietnam. Using a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data were collected from 149 deaf students from two specialized educational institutions in Lam Dong Province; and qualitative data from 20 in-depth interviews with students and four teachers, and one focus group discussion with parents. The findings indicate that while deaf children experience minimal difficulty communicating with deaf peers, they face substantial challenges when interacting with hearing individuals, especially parents, grandparents, and others who lack sign language proficiency. Contributing factors include limited access to effective sign language instruction, insufficient sign language skills, and a scarcity of hearing individuals proficient in sign language. These barriers negatively affect both academic engagement and psychological well-being. The study highlights the need for comprehensive and coordinated support, including early medical intervention, access to hearing aids, strengthened sign language education, and the use of complementary communication strategies such as gestures and written communication. It also suggests an integrated medical, educational, and psychosocial intervention to address the deaf children’s need.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

asw

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Environmental Science Social Sciences

Description

ASEAN Social Work Journal (ASWJ) is an international social work journal, double-blind peer-reviewed, open-access journal mandated by the ASEAN Social Work Consortium (ASWC) to be published by the country of Indonesia, specifically the Indonesian Social Work Consortium (ISWC). ISWC was established ...