A Mom's Story and Not Being Thankful

 A must read blog post beautifully written and posted this week in Coffee + Crumbs which is a "collection of stories about motherhood, love, and the good kind of heartache".
Colleen Powell, mom to Liam shares her personal story, thoughts, and emotions about her journey with cochlear implants for a listening and spoken language outcome. For me, this article was such a reminder of what parents go through - not always what we think they will. 
How as LSL professionals do you allow space for the range of emotions that families experience?




Courtney Huellen Future LSL Therapist - Recognized By ISU


Congratulations Courtney Huellen on her recognition by the  Illinois State University CSD Department · January 28. 

 Courtney "would like to earn the Listening and Spoken Language certification from AG Bell after she graduates with her master's degree because working with people who have hearing loss is something she is passionate about. Courtney’s dream job would be to serve on a pediatric cochlear implant team as the SLP and help children reach their Spoken language goals!...

 At ISU she has served as both the secretary and Vice President for NSSLHA. She has also volunteered with Alpha Phi Omega and Choose to Shine. During spring break 2017, Courtney had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Spain!"

 Courtney is the oldest of four children.  Two of her siblings have Usher's Syndrome, are Listening and Spoken Language SUPERSTARS and hear with cochlear implants.Courtney's sister Brittany is one of my AVT graduates now a freshman in college pursuing special education as a teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing.

I am proud of these sisters and their desire to give back making it possible so other children who are deaf or hard of hearing learn to listen and talk, which powers language, literacy, and lifetime success.

New Listening and Spoken language Auditory Verbal Certification Requirements

If you are looking to pursue Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Auditory Verbal certification check out the new AG Bell Academy requirements related to the certification process for candidates.
According to AG Bell, all changes are found in July 2017 versions of the following documents on the Academy website:
Click here for a summary of all changes.
We appreciate the time and commitment of the AG Bell Academy Board and the Mentoring Taskforce to the growth in knowledge and skill of each professional pursing LSL certification and the enhancement of the LSL certification process all with the expectation of improving the LSL outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

 Thank you to these Hearing First members who are members of the AG Bell Academy Board:
 M.S., LSLS Cert. AVEd, Board Chair
Emma Rushbrooke, M.Phil (Audiology), B.A. Dip Aud, MAudSa, LSLS Cert. AVT, RNC,  Board Chair-Elect
M.S., Cert. AVEd, Immediate Past Board Chair
 M.S., LSLS Cert. AVEd
Emilio Alonso-Mendoza, J.D., CFRE
, M.S., LSLS Cert. AVEd
Ulrika Lofkvist, Ph.D., LSLS Cert. AVEd, M.Sc.
 Ph.D., LSLS Cert. AVT
Ted Meyer, M.D., Ph.D.
Lee Rech, J.D.
, M.A., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT 
 Ph.D., CED, LSLS Cert. AVEd
 And the Mentoring Task Force:
 LSLS Cert. AVT, Task Force Chair
Rollen Cooper, M.S., LSLS Cert. AVEd
, MSP, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Sherri Fickenscher, M.S., LSLS Cert. AVEd
 M.A. CCC-SLP. LSLS Cert. AVT

S.T.A.R.R. - Parent Coaching Strategies for Listening and Spoken Language

S.T.A.R.R., a new parent coaching tool for LSL was published by Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children of San Antonio, Texas.  S.T.A.R.R. is a simple acronym yet the materials are powerful when guiding parents and caregivers in effective listening and spoken language strategies.

S- Stay close
T- Talk, talk, talk
A- Auditory Environment
R- Reciprocity
R- Repeat Routines

product-starr-bundle-01.jpg

The S.T.A.R.R. strategies are used as a script to guide those who have chosen a Listening and Spoken Language outcome for their child that is deaf or hard of hearing. The points on the STARR can be introduced in isolation or all 5 skills collectively to be used by throughout the waking hours of the child

The Parent Coaching Strategies for Listening and Spoken Language - Booklet - $15 – sold individually
   
S.T.A.R.R. Parent Coaching Strategies for Listening and Spoken Language - Magnetic Stars - $20. - Sold in sets of 10 magnetic stars.