<< BACK TO POSTERS

ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Children with Special Needs Can Listen, Too!' Track: 3 - Language Acquisition and Development Keyword(s): Children, Special Needs, Hearing Loss Learning Objectives: Participants will learn to identify a child with sensory and feeding disorders and how to incorporate listening activities that enhance speech/language progress. Children using augmentative communication will also be discussed. Participants will list a variety of aural habilitation treatment strategies in order to facilitate optimal performance in children multiple involvement. Participants will be taught to integrate listening into the every day routines of children with special needs, to include the home and classroom settings. Abstract: 'Children with Special Needs can Listen, too!': It has been reported that approximately 40% of children with hearing loss present with additional disorders, such as impaired cognition, learning disabilities, feeding disorders, and sensory integration dysfunction (DSI). DSI is a common, but frequently diagnosed problem characterized by the central nervous system's inability to effectively organize and process sensory input. DSI manifests itself in many ways, including: attention deficits, avoidance of touch or movement, poorly controlled movement, clumsiness, persistent irritability, and impaired learning. Often misunderstood, DSI behaviors are frequently overlooked by parents, educators, and physicians. Consequently, many parents, teachers, and speech-language pathologists are confused when it comes to treating children presenting with DSI and special needs. This lecture format presentation will demonstrate an overview of children with both hearing loss and special needs (specifically DSI, feeding disorders, and augmentative communication users) and how to integrate listening into their everyday routines. Once listening intervention begins, the child with learning challenges benefits in many ways, including improved attention, increased independence and enhanced social skills and communication. Coping strategies for parents of children with special needs will also be provided. These include: building on the child's strengths and interests, encouraging self-help skills, and offering new sensory experiences. Classroom suggestions for the previously mentioned populations will then be offered, such as: reducing sensory overload, providing comfortable furniture, developing consistent routines, and adapting teaching behavior. A 'sensory diet' will be described to provide multi-sensory experiences that enhance learning. Finally, specific activities will be illustrated to facilitate carry-over across settings. With appropriate therapy, children with a variety of special needs can learn to function independently within the mainstream and achieve their full potential. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Kimberly Jenkins - Co-Presenter Cobb Pediatric Therapy Services      Credentials: MA, CCC-SLP       Kimberly Jenkins is a Speech-Language Pathology at Cobb Pediatric Therapy Services in Atlanta, Georgia. She serves school age children and has a strong background in pediatric Aural Habilitation for children who use cochlear implants and hearing aids, aural/oral communication assessments, pre- and post-cochlear implant evaluations, parent guidance and education, adult cochlear implant auditory training, and Algernative/augmentative communication.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Emily Noss - Co-Presenter University of Tennessee, Knoxville      Credentials: Assistant Professor; Speech-Language Pathologist, M.A., CCC-SLP      Other Affiliations: AG Bell; TN Hands & Voices       Emily Noss is an Assistant Professor in Speech-Language Pathology at The University of Tennessee, Health Science Center in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Emily practices in the Child Hearing Services (CHS) Clinic in Knoxville. She specializes in pediatric Aural Habilitation for children who use cochlear implants and hearing aids, aural/oral communication assessments, pre- and post-cochlear implant evaluations, parent guidance and education, adult cochlear implant auditory training, and Alternative/augmentative communication.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.