Tag Archives: Advocacy

It’s Not a Secret!

I had a horrible experience teaching my graduate-level aural rehabilitation class earlier this semester. One of my brilliant students, herself a young woman with hearing loss, came to me during office hours to discuss audiogram interpretation. We talked through the concepts, worked through an example together, and things clicked! Happy story, right? But then sheContinue reading “It’s Not a Secret!”

“She’ll always be deaf, you know…”

I hear (and see — on social media) this phrase all the time.  Parents who choose amplification and listening and spoken language for their children are reminded by not-so-kind strangers, “She’ll always be deaf, you know…”

If They Could, They Would

There are some families who are a joy to work with.  They show up on time, their children always have their hearing technology on and working, they read to their children, never miss an appointment, and bring you treats for the holidays.  There are others who make professionals want to pull their hair out.  ChronicallyContinue reading “If They Could, They Would”

“She’s Doing So Well, But…”

If a child with hearing loss is scoring at or above the level expected for her hearing peers, it’s time to celebrate (and graduate)!  But why does this seemingly joyful milestone cause so much anxiety for parents and professionals?  Why do children who are “doing well” still struggle sometimes, and what can be done aboutContinue reading ““She’s Doing So Well, But…””

Choosing Teams

Do you remember choosing teams in middle school gym class or for games of pickup basketball on the playground?  With my short height, lack of coordination, and two left feet, I’ll admit, I was usually chosen last!  Fortunately, as an adult, I’ve had the privilege to be chosen for a very different kind of team:Continue reading “Choosing Teams”

ADVANCING PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES IN POVERTY

Susan Lenihan Ph.D., CED Jenna Voss Ph.D., LSLS Cert. AVEd Colleen Kinsella Approximately 1 in 5 children in the US live in poverty.  How can listening and spoken language professionals better serve them?  

PARENTAL PERSPECTIVES: FUELING SUCCESS IN THE MAINSTREAM CLASSROOM

Melanie Ribich Kat Golden Wendy Horvath Tammy Kenny Cynthia Logsdon A panel of parents of children with hearing loss who listen and talk shared their experiences, tips, and wisdom.  They had so many great quotes and insights, I’m just going to list them below.  Their comments say far more than I ever could!  

FROM “DREAMERS” TO “VELVET BULLDOZERS”: STOKES’ 6-STAGES

Louise Honck Cert. MRCSLT, PG. Dip. AVT, LSLS Cert. AVT Susannah Burden Cert. MRCSLT, Pg. Dip. AVT, LSLS Cert. AVT This presentation focused on parents’ journey from initial identification of their child’s hearing loss to acceptance and advocacy.