I went to a session on transition (moving from school to adult life) and self advocacy at the recent Midwest Conference on Deaf Education with few expectations. After all, I work with children, and didn’t think that I would find much practical application. But, it was an interesting topic and so I went. And now I can’t stop thinking about … Read More
Strategies for Creating a Rich Language Environment
If you’re a parent, you know the feeling…the ever present question or nagging thought, “Am I doing enough?” And if you’re the parent of a child with a hearing loss, that voice can be overwhelming because there can be so much you think you should be doing. So first, let me tell you, this post is not about what you’re … Read More
Back to School: 5 Things Your Child’s Teacher Isn’t Telling You
As the school supplies take over the seasonal corner in Target and the yellow buses draped with banners advertising great pay for drivers appear, we’re reminded (whether we like it or not), that the beginning of school is just around the corner. And as a former classroom teacher and school-based SLP, I have to tell you…there are things your classroom … Read More
Strategies for Improving a Child’s Auditory Feedback Loop
Have you ever been talking about two people, and accidently mixed up their names? Like instead of Mary and Ben you said “Bary and Men” and then caught yourself? Or accidentally called your child or partner the wrong name and had to correct yourself? If you have, you have used the auditory feedback loop. What is the Auditory Feedback Loop? … Read More
Freebie Friday! Your August LSL Calendar, and a Hearing Aids Self-Advocacy Book
Woot! It’s Friday…and that means freebies. First, if you haven’t grabbed your August LSL calendar yet, click this link and go do it! It has a whole month’s worth of ideas for how to focus on listening and spoken language with your child. Although we may not want to admit it, back to school is just around the corner. At … Read More
Freebie Friday: August 2019 Listening and Spoken Language Calendar
Freebie Friday! Oops, it’s Wednesday, isn’t it? I’m just too excited about this week’s Friday Freebie to wait. I’ve created a calendar for August with daily listening and spoken language ideas that I want you to have. The calendar is great for parents of kids with hearing loss, but also anyone else looking to support their child’s listening and language … Read More
What is Auditory Verbal Therapy Anyway? (Part 3 of 3)
This is part 3 in a 3 part series outlining the principles a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist* uses when working with children and families, and what those principles mean. I want to help parents understand what they can expect from therapy using auditory verbal principles. If you haven’t yet, click here to read Part 1 or here to read … Read More
One Page School Introduction
It’s hard to believe, but at least here in South Dakota, the beginning of the new school year is just around the corner. And with that, new teachers, classrooms, expectations, etc. As the parent of a student with cochlear implants or hearing aids, you want to be sure your school’s staff understands your child as well as they can. One … Read More
An Interview with Meaghan, the parent of a child with cochlear implants
If you’ve looked around the Mighty Voice website, you may have seen Meaghan and her family before. She was a dear friend long before their family’s journey with deafness, and I am so grateful and excited she’s willing to share a few more details about their story including their late diagnosis and why choosing cochlear implants is not an easy … Read More
Tonight’s Takeaway
I’ve been participating in Hearing First’s Fundamentals of Listening and Spoken Language series. Tonight’s session is on pediatric audiology and brain development, and this is my first takeaway. If you’re looking for speech and language services using auditory verbal techniques, please click here to learn more. I’d love to help.