Here is a link that explains in detail what Auditory-Verbal Therapy is all about. This is the approach that we would like to take for Audrena once she has her implants activated. I'm not sure at this point that we have any "certified" AV therapists in our area, but I'm confident that if not, the people we will be working with can easily model her sessions with these principles in mind. We'll do whatever it takes to maximize Audrena's potential with her implants.
http://www.listeningforlife.com/AVTprogram.html
We are doing auditory-verbal therapy as well. There is only one therapist in the entire state of Louisiana that is certified as an AV therapist. I'd be happy to ask her if she knows of any in South Dakota for you. Auditory Verbal really is the only way to go (in my opinion) for a cochlear implant child. Why would you give a child access to sound and then sign to them? Anyway, let me know if you want me to ask.
ReplyDeleteKarissa, thanks so much for the vote of confidence! I have done a little searching, and I just have not found a certified AV therapist anywhere near the Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota area, at least not close enough for it to be feasible for us. I think we'll just have to incorporate as much into our therapy sessions and home life as we can on our own. I'm glad you found our blog and took the time to offer!
DeleteDid you ever find a certified AV therapist? We are in SD and I am looking for one for my son. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThere are no AV therapists in South Dakota. :( Now that Audrena is over 3, she has an IEP. Our implant center has been providing coaching/training to the school personnel, and we do therapy at the University of South Dakota Scottish Rite Speech & Hearing Clinic as well. It has worked well because our Audiologist works along side the Speech-Language Pathologist, and they supervise the student clinicians.
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