Hello Mighty Voice readers! Today I’m so excited to bring you this interview with Elizabeth Gaffney. I first saw Elizabeth’s name on an e-book I love about auditory verbal strategies, and later found her on Instagram. I think readers will appreciate her insight having been in different roles in Deaf education, as well as her commitment to being part of … Read More
Back to School: Listening and Spoken Language Resource Round Up
At least in my corner of the world, back to school time is here. Whether you’re the parent who is still cleaning out backpacks from last year, or you’ve had the supply list checked off for weeks, you’re doing it. And what better way to start off the year than with a round up of back to school resources for … Read More
One Way to Get Therapy Services No One Told You About
If your child needs speech and language or listening and spoken language therapy, you’ve probably been told about early intervention (sometimes called Birth to 3) or school-based services. You may have had IFSP or IEP meetings where you tried to convince your team that your child needs more services. But did you know that your child may be able to … Read More
How is Auditory Verbal Therapy, or Listening and Spoken Language, Different than Speech Therapy?
I will be the first to admit it–the first time I heard the term “auditory verbal therapy” and saw a definition, I thought “Hmm, but how is that different than good speech and language therapy?” Maybe you’ve had the same thought. As I’ve been working on my certification, I’ve been thinking a lot about this question, and want to share … Read More
Self Advocacy For Kids with Hearing Loss: Becoming a Successful Adult Starts Right Now
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
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 2 of 3)
This is part 2 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. Guide and coach parents … Read More