Parent Power n POW! n Unfortunately, the diagnosis is unfair, unpleasant, unwanted and cannot be undone. But, it must be dealt with... –Atkins, 1994

Whats your attitude... n Dont worry…professional help is here n Im here to fix what is wrong with your child/family n Ive got lots of experience and so can tell you the solution n …not enough sense to get out of the rain n …if it were my child

Transitioning from testing to telling n The Drive-by n The Steam roller n The Pollyanna n Ready? Set? Go!

Transitioning: from testing to telling n …there has to be a better way n Its a Family Affair the whole gang holding the baby corralling the sibs

Its a Process n Grief n Denial n Anger n Guilt n Anxiety n Acceptance

Transformed Parenting (Seideman and Klein, 95) n Entrance Process –Receiving the Diagnosis hearing the words internalizing information –feeling initial emotions –telling the family –planning for differences

Redefining Intervention n Audiologists must redefine intervention –Audiologists who assess infants and young children can no longer hide behind the label of Diagnostician –Intervention isnt what happens after Audiologists do their job! –Dont be part of the problem, be part of the solution!

Family-Centered Principles n View family as a unit n Recognize child and family strengths n Respond to family priorities n Individualize service delivery n Respond to changing priorities n Support family values and lifestyles

Parent Power n Parents Rights –to express intense emotions –to seek another -to be annoyed with opinion the child –to keep trying -to be the experts –to stop trying -to time off –to privacy -to set limits –to dignity -to be unenthusiastic –to be a family -Sass-Lehrer, 2000

Advice for Professionals from Hearing Parents n Listen to us! n Respect us! n Be knowledgeable! n Be honest! n Tell us everything!

Advice for Professionals from Deaf Parents n Respect our opinion n Listen to us! n Involve us in decision making! n Improve your sign skills! n Raise your expectations regarding deaf children!

Parents Wish List Deconde-Johnson, 1999 n Honesty –dont be afraid to give your professional opinion, but dont deliver it in absolutes –if you dont have experience in working with infants/kids, refer us to someone who does –be honest with yourself about your own sensitivity skills

Parents Wish List Deconde-Johnson, 1999 n Information –give us information to make well informed decisions –if you dont know, help us find the resource that does –unbiased information re: comm. Options –give books, pamphlets, phone numbers, support groups, websites, anything to help us understand our childs HL and where to find help

Parents Wish List Deconde-Johnson, 1999 n Choices in Amplification –Dont assume we want the cheapest, most preferred, easiest, smallest,most readily available device--allow us to make these choices –Tell us funding options, or lack thereof –Tell us about longer trial periods, extended warranties, loaners

Parents Wish List Deconde-Johnson, 1999 n Choices in Amplification –tell us about earmold modifications –tell us about devices to help keep hearing aid on our kids, out of their mouths, away from the dog! –Be patient when we want to try many different aids until the best possible results are achieved

Parents Wish List Deconde-Johnson, 1999 n Choices in Communication n Remember: –Its about communication, not methodology –Deafness is not about hearing, but about communication –Choosing is a process that is flexible, ongoing and changeable –Discovering what works is what makes the choice right!

A Checklist for Attitudes/Practices n Do I believe that families bring unique expertise to our relationship? n Do I believe that family members perspectives and opinions are as important as professionals? n Do I involve families in planning and evaluating what happens in my practice?

A Checklist for Attitudes/Practices n Do I know the resources available in my area? n Am I willing to invest the time, energy, resources (fiscal/human) necessary to provide infant/toddler services? n Do I know information about family-to- family support and how to access it?