PARENT TOOLKIT ALBERTA HANDS & VOI CES
Notice of Liability The information in this toolkit is intended for educational purposes only. This toolkit is designed to provide competent and reliable information regarding the subject matters covered. Alberta Hands & Voices has used best efforts in preparing this toolkit. Alberta Hands & Voices makes no representation with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of this toolkit. Alberta Hands & Voices shall not be held liable for any loss or other damages, included but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. All links are for informational purposes only and are not warranted for content, accuracy, or any other implied or explicit purpose. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: Alberta Hands & Voices PO Box 76020 Millrise Calgary, AB T2Y 2Z9 info@albertahandsandvoices.com http://www.albertahandsandvoices.com
Contributors In using this toolkit, you become part of a larger community. Alberta Hands & Voices extends a heartfelt thank you to the following contributors: Karen Anderson Lindsay Baker Jeff Crukley Linda Cundy Keri Eddy Stephanie Edgington Julie Clements-Flatt Melanie and Rod Frank Lisa Gokstorp Meredith Haluschak Kelly Klapstein Krystyann Krywko Jennifer Lynne Robyn Mackie Natalia Martin Stella Ng Kathi Osinchuk Amberley Ostevik Shanon Phelan Melissa Poloenko Sandra Vandenhoff Lorraine Watson Lynn Wheadon Davine Williams-King Anne Woolliams Krista Yuskow Members of the brainstorming sessions and focus groups
Table of Contents Section One: Introduction What is Alberta Hands & Voices? 2 Section Two: What s Inside What s in this toolkit? 2 Nomenclature 4 How do I use this toolkit? 4 Section Three: After Diagnosis Initial decisions 2 Coping 4 Counselling support 6 Now what? Make It through the first year 8 Emotional sticking points of parenting a child who is Deaf or 11 Hard of Hearing Fathers and grief: Raising a child with a hearing loss 14 Parenting the child who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing 19 o Strategies for enhancing the parent/child relationship 19 Support for siblings 25 Section Four: Hearing Basics Information about the ear 2 How we hear 3 Types of hearing loss 4 What caused my child s hearing loss? 7 Evaluating hearing 15
Understanding the audiogram 20 Hearing loss configurations 24 What can my child hear? 25 Section Five: Communication Basics Communication options: What is best for my child? 2 Decision guide to communication choices 8 Who can help? Finding information and support 13 Section Six: Communication Considerations Consistent use of hearing devices 2 How can I keep hearing devices on my child? 8 Assistive technology for children who are Deaf or Hard of 16 Hearing Incidental learning 33 Early communication and visual attention 36 Speechreading 47 Creating a language-rich environment 50 Bilingualism: Should I enroll my child in an immersion 52 program? Early literacy 64 Socialization and prevention of bullying 76 Sports and other extracurricular activities 91 Travel information and considerations 96 Listening fatigue 105 Bad hearing days 111 Is a hearing assist dog a good fit for your family? 114
Section Seven: Hearing Losses and Conditions Auditory Neuropathy/Dysynchrony Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) 2 Deaf plus: Education of Deaf children with multiple challenges 6 Mild hearing loss 11 Unilateral hearing loss in children 22 When your child has tinnitus 31 Section Eight: Advocacy Becoming an effective advocate for your child 2 Relationship building is the place to start 5 Advocating for your child at school 9 Encouraging your child to self-advocate 13 Advocating for sign language interpreting services 20 CART in Alberta 29 o Saved by CART 31 Disability rights for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing 35 Section Nine: Transitions Taking the scary out of transitions 2 Getting ready for kindergarten 5 o Introduction 6 o Getting ready for kindergarten 7 o Important questions 12 o Who to contact 14 o Individualized Program Planning (IPP) 15 o Vocabulary at school 18 o School readiness at home 22
o Going to school: A general guide to basic skills 26 o Letters to teachers/letter to other parents 28 o Information about my child 31 o What are the top ten signs of a good kindergarten? 33 o Placement checklist 35 Teacher in-service: Technology and strategies 44 o Introduction 45 o Tips and Tricks 46 o Customize your template 47 o Other in-service ideas 49 o Appendix: Teacher in-service template 57 Letter from parents to teachers and other 58 parents Hearing aids: Technology information 64 Cochlear implants: Technology information 65 FM systems: Technology information 67 How to use the Phonak Inspiro FM 73 System How to use the Phonak Roger Easy Pen 77 System How to Use the Phonak Roger 80 Touchscreen How to use the Phonak Zoomlink + FM 82 System How to use the Oticon Amigo FM System 86 Instructional Strategies 88 Teacher in-service: Interpreters in the classroom 90 o Communication is key 91 Middle school 101: Helping your child make a smooth transition 96
Transition to a cochlear implant with CART: Our journey 104 First job considerations 108 Post-secondary and career information 113 Section Ten: Funding and Supports Potential sources 6 Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) 8 Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) 13 Program Unit Funding (PUF) 15 Questions to ask potential FSCD and PUF providers 18 Section Eleven: Keeping Track Organizing information My Journal Section Twelve: Resources Provincial Resources National Resources International Resources Lending Library