AV Listener won FIRST PLACE for a 1-minute video

One of my AV Listeners won FIRST PLACE for a 1-minute video featuring his CI program at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. We have a ton of fun together as Nathan is full of laughter and funny without even trying. Enjoy!

Halloween Auditory Verbal Therapy Pinterest Board

Halloween and Auditory Verbal Listening and Spoken Language Ideas 

Click HERE to view my Halloween Pinterest board

"I Can Hear You!" A-V Graduate Proclaims

Dear World is part business/art project/social experiment and asks each portrait subject to share a message they care about in their signature style of distinct message-on-skin portraits . Dear World has photographed over 50,000 thousand people all around the world.

Dear World came to the college of one of my Auditory Verbal graduates. Nicole had something to say, "I can hear you!" Nicole received her first CI in 1999 at age two. Today she is studying biochemistry with plans to be a cardiac thoracic surgeon.

If you had a story to share about something you love, what would it be?

Apples and Auditory Verbal Therapy

Last week, when at the Hear Indiana Listening & SpokenLanguage Conference. I was asked by a number of you why I am not posting pics of what I am doing these days in therapy.  Life is busy - but I will try post AVT pics more often.  Here you go!

Hi, Ho Apple Tree Game and The Star in the Middle of the Apple story are among the highlights.

First Day of School with "Harmony Hears A Hoot"

"Harmony Hears A Hoot" is a new book I received thanks to Island Wide Speech's founder and author Fara Augustover, M.A. CCC-SLP. I am excited to share this with my Little Listeners at the beginning of this school year. The story is about Harmony’s 1st day of school and is great for learning self-advocacy skills. The book highlights lessons such as: dealing with questions about devices from peers, FM systems, auditory, speech and language therapy, background noise, batteries, advocating, asking for repetitions, etc.!

"Harmony Hears A Hoot" follows a young owl who has a hearing loss. She already has a diagnosis, listening devices (e.g. hearing aids, cochlear implants, BaHa's, etc.), and now it's time to venture off to school. Children with hearing loss can learn with Harmony as she experiences meeting new people and the questions/situations that arise. This book offers a whimsical account that a children can relate to, and enjoy as they listen to the story and looks at the colorful illustrations, all while personally associating themselves with the main character, Harmony."

You can order a hardcover or ebook at www.harmonyhearsahoot.com or Amazon!

There is also a "Harmony Hears a Hoot" Activity Pack, Book Report Template and even an adorable handmade crocheted Harmony Doll.

I hope your Little Listener enjoys hearing about and learning with Harmony!

Hands & Voices - Board of Directors 2016

Back Row (left to right) Jill Kelly, Tina Childress, Alison Rollins, Karla Giese, Alejandra Ullauri,

 Jeanne Carlisle, Lynn Wood and Melissa Joyce

Front Row seated (left to right) Pauline Brannigan, Carrie Balian, Andrea Marwah, Heather Poe and Jennifer Ehlers

Hands & Voices

Our Mission:

Illinois Families for Hands & Voices is a parent-driven, non-profit organization that supports families with children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodologies.

Our Vision:

We envision a world where children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing have every opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Our Motto:

“What works for your child is what makes the choice right.” ^TM

Contact Us:

• ilhandsandvoices@gmail.com
• 630-697-3544 (v/text)
• PO Box 9366, Naperville, IL 60567

Where we began…

Illinois Hands & Voices, legally known as Illinois Families for Hands & Voices was started by Karen Putz and a group of parents throughout the state of Illinois who felt that parent support was crucial to our families.  Our chapter started in Summer of 2004.

Who Are We?

• We are families with children who have all types of hearing loss.
• We use many different types of communication modes: Auditory Verbal, Auditory Oral, Cued Speech, American Sign Language, Signed English, Simultaneous Communication and Total Communication.
• We are deaf and hard-of-hearing adults.
• We are professionals.
• We are from every corner of the state of Illinois.
• We are united, because we are Hands & Voices.

Families can learn about the variety of resources and options available to them and how to access them. Through this network of resources, families can make informed decisions about their future in regards to educational options, the changing landscape of assistive technologies, and many other issues facing families with deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

Families within the same geographic region within the state can share experiences and information as they support each other. They will be given the opportunity to gain knowledge and direction from families who have faced the same challenges and choices.

Lynn Wood Presents at HEAR INDIANA Parent Education and Encouragement Session- September 24, 2016

Parent Education and Encouragement Session

Saturday, September 24th

from 9:00 - 12:00

Click HERE for registration.

This session will guide families to use Apps as interactive tools for Listening and Language Learning. There is no limit to the listening, language and learning possibilities available through apps. Apps are common tools in auditory verbal practices, clinics, schools and homes. If you own a device that runs apps, you have valuable resources at your fingertips (and at your child’s fingertips too!). 

I will present strategies to engage, extend and expand on apps designed to promote listening and spoken language. The session will provide parents with ideas for making connections with apps to meaningful conversations and experiences, strategies to consider, the pros and cons of using apps over traditional materials and how to integrate the benefits of both. Key factors in choosing apps will be discussed. 

I will share suggestions for “exploding” some featured apps through themes and with traditional books, songs, crafts, games and more. The format of the session will be interactive using iPad apps, hands-on materials and audience participation. If you have an iPad or tablet bring it to the presentation.

Professional and Parent Education Sessions

Friday, September 23, 2016,

from 7:00 - 5:00