What Early Diagnosis and Intervention has meant to one family

Tate Unremarkable Birth Except to Mom & Dad!!

Typical Development History of Ear Infections Response to Sound So why isnt he talking? And why doesnt 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! Tates New Hearing Aids Tate Hears!!

Its too late for Early Intervention 2 yr 8 mo - Tate immediately began intensive speech therapy – 2 times per week for 6 months MLR.12

Its 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 frequencies Discovered during routine testing at school - no other indicators. Hearing Loss now very similar to Hope Even with the progression, Tates MLR was over 15 when he graduated from preschool

Hope finds her voice!

Hope Starts Preschool November 2000 Hopes Language and Speech development were above age appropriate when she started preschool. She almost didnt qualify!

The Difference Today Communication Similar Audiogram/Different Speech Thresholds and Recognition The Difference Today Communication

The Difference Today Communication Similar Audiogram/Different Speech Thresholds and Recognition Tate Aided Speech 25db Aided Speech Discrimination Hope Aided Speech 20db Aided Speech Discrimination 45db

The Difference Today Academically Tate 10 years old – 4 th 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 Hope 7 years old – 1 st 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 lives Hope 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 youre just a kid!

Many Happy Endings

What Early Diagnosis and Intervention has meant to one family The World!