Parents of deaf children long remember the way in which they were told of their child’s hearing loss.
“The single most effective predictor of a newly identified child’s success is the meaningful and effective involvement of his or her parents and family.”
(Yoshinaga-Itano, 2000)
How news of deafness is communicated and information is shared can have a significant impact on families in terms of their adjustment to their baby’s diagnosis and affect their engagement and involvement with services.
This unique and highly regarded two-day course led by Gwen Carr, previously NHSP, working with a team of experienced professional actors, is now in its fourteenth year.
Research and evidence informed, it is designed for audiologists, medics and other professionals involved with families at the time of early identification of deafness and the period following.
It is highly interactive and includes guided experiential role play as well as opportunity to hear and discuss real family experiences.
By the end of the programme delegates will have:
- An understanding of the importance of effective communication with parents/families of early identified deaf children from an evidence-based prospective.
- An Understanding of the key elements of effective listening and information sharing in clinical encounters
- Had an opportunity to practice skills hands on, in group settings with professional actors with over 10 years’ experience in this specific area of work.
- Heard the experiences of parents and families of the care pathway from screening through to audiological management and early intervention.
- An appreciation of how stress and different emotional states impact affect how people receive and process information.
- An understanding of the varied ways in which parents adjust and adapt to their babies diagnosis.
- Developed and practiced strategies for effective and responsive communication in challenging situations.
