What Early Diagnosis and Intervention has meant to one

family

Tate 11-18-94 Unremarkable Birth

Except to Mom & Dad!!

Typical Development

History of Ear Infections Response to Sound

So why isn’t he talking?

And why doesn’t he understand me?

July 1, 1997 Mild to Moderate Loss

What happens now?

Who can help us?Will he talk?

Will he participate in sports?His Dad asked this one!

Can he hear me say “I love you”?

A New World – for all of us!Tate’s New Hearing Aids Tate Hears!!

It’s too late for “Early” Intervention

2 yr 8 mo - Tate immediately began intensive speech therapy – 2 times per week for 6 months

MLR .12

It’s too late for “Early” Intervention

3 yr 3 mo – Tate begins developmental pre-school through our public school system

MLR- 2.3

Hope kept us going November 22, 1997

Hope kept us going November 24, 1997 – Diagnosed with Mild

to Profound Hearing Loss

January 16, 1998 Hope gets her hearing aids

Early Intervention home visits begin when Hope is 6 months old

A Set Back January 19, 1998 Tate suffers progression

15db in most frequenciesDiscovered during routine testing at school - no other indicators.

Hearing Loss now very similar to Hope

Even with the progression, Tate’s MLR was over 15 when he “graduated” from preschool

Hope finds her voice!

Hope Starts PreschoolNovember 2000

Hope’s Language and Speech development

were above age appropriate

when she started preschool. She almost didn’t qualify!

The Difference Today

CommunicationSimilar Audiogram/Different Speech Thresholds and Recognition

The Difference Today

Communication

The Difference Today Communication

Similar Audiogram/Different Speech Thresholds and Recognition

TateAided Speech

Recognition @ 25db

Aided Speech Discrimination 84%

@45db

HopeAided Speech

Recognition @ 20db

Aided Speech Discrimination 88% @

45db

The Difference Today Academically

Tate10 years old – 4th grade

Age Appropriate Reading and Math levels

Severe Deficits in Vocabulary

Speech Therapy-2x/week

Deaf Ed Instruction – 4 hours/week

Utilizes Interpreter in the classroom along with personal FM system

Hope7 years old – 1st grade

Above Age Appropriate Reading and Math levels

Age Appropriate Vocabulary

No longer eligible for Speech Therapy (10/04)

Deaf Ed Instruction – 2 hours/week

Utilizes portable FM system in the classroom

The Difference Today Socially

Both are very active in sports

Both enjoy school and are well-liked

Both have friends and active social lives

BUT……….

The Difference Today Socially

Athletics are “easier” for Tate. He is on several competitive teams. Hope enjoys the social aspect far more than the competition.

Both are very active in sports

The Difference Today Socially

Both are very active in sports

Both enjoy school and are well-liked

Tate requires a great deal of intervention and extra services both in and out of the classroom. Hope is considered a “peer model” for others in her class.

The Difference Today Socially

Both are very active in sports

Both enjoy school and are well-liked

Both have friends and active social livesHope has many friends and enjoys group activities. Tate has a few close friends and prefers small group activities.

A “minor” drawback to getting hearing aids when you’re just a

kid!

Many Happy Endings

Many Happy Endings

What Early Diagnosis and Intervention has meant to one

family

The World!