It's hard to believe that just 3 weeks ago today, we headed to what we thought would be an appointment to get more antibiotics to help clear up a persistent ear infection.
Today we had the opportunity to take part in our first Auditory/Verbal Therapy session! It is also hard to believe that just a week and 2 days ago, we were getting Tessa's diagnosis of bilateral, severe to profound, permanent, sensorineural hearing loss....and today....not only can Tessa hear her Mommy and Daddy, but we have been given the tools to begin communicating with our precious 4 month old baby girl!
Today we were given 3 strategies for communicating with Tessa within the natural routines of her day.
(bare with me: going over this is probably more therapy for me than anything ~ a way for me to purge my 'information overload' :)
1) Audition First - this is creating an environment where Tessa hears about an action before the action occurs - allowing her to learn on a 'sea of talk'
example: Tessa, do you want your pacifier? Okay, now Mommy is going to give you your pacifier. Here you go Tessa, here is your pacifier.
2) Acoustic Highlighting - highlighting speech sounds which will enable Tessa to heighten her auditory awareness - adding more stress than usual to the sound, word or phrase that we want Tessa to listen to
example: singing to Tessa will be the most natural way for me to apply this strategy (for now ;)
3) Wait for Response - conversational turn taking - asking a question and pausing and waiting for some form of a response
example: putting a rattle in Tessa's hand and helping her shake it, stopping, and then asking if she wants to shake the rattle some more...watching for her to maybe grip on tighter to the rattle or any other subtle movement and then responding to her movement by shaking the rattle with her again.
(due to Tessa's motor delays, this will be one of the more difficult strategies for us at this time)
These are all things that we did with Parker, the difference is how intentional we will be about communicating with Tessa in these ways. In her four months with us, Tessa has responded very little to the words we have spoken. Basically for the first 3 months, she was either eating, sleeping or crying. We had very few opportunities to interact with her, teach her, or even just observe her awake. We got to know Tessa in an entirely new way after they started her on her seizure medicine in the hospital....and now, with her introduction to sound, a chance for an even richer relationship with her. We are excited to begin bonding with Tessa in a whole new way.
Therapy today means an even richer tomorrow!
~Whitney
It is amazing how far she has come in just three weeks. What a blessing. It is wonderful that you have had the opportunity to bond with her on a much higher lever than you had before and it is amazing to think of how much that bond is going to grow over the next few weeks..months..and years. As always, our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Through out this experience, it is obvious that God has been with you all every step of the way, through this entire "God-sized" event. Keep singing Whitney, sing to Tessa and sing to God for the awesome success Tessa has and will continue to show.
ReplyDeleteGod has richly blessed Tessa and Parker with a Precious Mommy and Daddy who so inherently know what both she and he need! I pray with faith that He will grant you an extra portion of the guidance, wisdom, creativity and sheer strength and persistence it will require to use these tools of communication daily! What an inspiration you both are to me! I do stand amazed in the presence in awe and thanksgiving for what God is doing and still will do in your lives. Loving you deeply...Mom
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