The central theme of El Deafo is one of disability and alienation—it defines Cece’s early life and influences the way she sees the world. Cece’s experience with disability is one of shame for most of her early life; it isn’t until she finds validation from her peers that she begins to see her disability as something that makes her unique. Cece’s coming-of-age story is defined by her disability and how it both helps and hinders her in her struggle to embrace her true self.

When Cece is young, she realizes that her disability makes her different. Before she even attends school, she notices that her hearing aids make her look different than her friend Emma. While their physical differences didn’t matter before, Cece sees this difference—between wearing hearing aids and not—as significant: “And now? Now, we look a lot different, and in a way that does matter. At least to me” (24). Cece feels different from Emma in a way that alienates her from her friend, who can’t understand Cece’s experience or struggles.

Cece continues to struggle with feelings of alienation as she attends school, makes friends, and moves into a new neighborhood. She feels isolated when children in her new neighborhood listen to the radio together; even with her hearing aids, she can’t understand the radio well enough to enjoy music or understand jokes.