Workshop Series “Developing Spoken Language through Audition”

This year, a workshop series comprising of seven workshops is being delivered by the paediatric team at the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme. Participants include Resource Teachers of the Deaf, Advisers on Deaf Children and Speech Language Therapists. The aim of the workshop series is to improve the understanding and skills of staff who work with children with cochlear implants throughout the region served by the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme.

Each workshop is first delivered to local participants in Christchurch. A DVD recording is made of the workshop which is then produced and sent to participants working in other areas of the country. Extra copies are made and kept as a resource in the van Asch Deaf Education Centre library.

Workshops cover many topics, including audiology, checking children’s hearing devices, how audition and spoken language develop and how to assess auditory and spoken language development. Emphasis is on both theory and practical skills. Workshop participants are required to carry out assignments to follow on from each workshop.

These assignments have included reading articles and answering questions, carrying out thorough equipment inventories for children out in mainstream settings, and videoing themselves working with students. The workshop has been very well received so far, with many staff reporting a higher level of confidence in working in this field.

Southern Hearing Charitable Trust Auditory-Verbal Scholarship

2009 has seen the first award of the Southern Hearing Charitable Trust Auditory-Verbal Scholarship. This scholarship has been developed by the staff of the paediatric programme and the trust members.

Funds from Loud Shirt Day 2008 were used to provide the scholarship, which covered course fees, airfares and accommodation. Professionals working with children with cochlear implants were eligible to apply for the scholarship.

The scholarship provided funding for attendance at a week long course at the Hear and Say Centre in Brisbane. This centre provides training for professionals in using the auditory-verbal approach with children with a hearing loss.

A committee comprising the manager of the paediatric programme, a Habilitationist, a parent representative from the programme and a member of the trust, interviewed each applicant by phone. The successful applicant was Helen King, a Resource Teacher of the Deaf currently working for the van Asch Deaf Education Centre. Helen was thrilled to be selected for this award. She attended the course from August 2 - 6. We are looking forward to hearing about her week in Brisbane on her return.

By Donna Sperandio
Habilitationist