Not too much to report here. Just reiterating all that was discussed at the evaluation and restating the recommendations. Kurt and I were to come to this meeting with our goals for Mikaela. At this time, I just want her to be "on track" for her age physically. I want the family to learn ASL because I believe it is important for us all to know Mikaela's language. That is who she is. She is a beautiful, happy girl who has unlimited potential to become whatever she desires and she also happens to be deaf. We will benefit from knowing how to communicate with ASL. Should her hearing aids be in the shop for repair, we will benefit from knowing ASL. If she receives the implant and we are swimming at the beach, we will all benefit from knowing ASL. There will be many other occasions that we will benefit from knowing ASL. Regarding her listening, I am committed to having her hearing aids on during all waking hours. A normal hearing child hears something like one million words by the time he is one. For a normal hearing child 90 percent of learning is incidental - meaning he picks it up by listening and watching what is going on. For a child with a hearing loss, that number drops dramatically depending on the severity of the loss. For Mikaela, we don't know what sound is getting in. We know that there is sound, but we aren't sure how muffled or distorted it is. It is still my intention to give her every opportunity to process what ever she can.
From here, her TOD and PT will begin within 45 days - as stated by law.
No comments:
Post a Comment