by Guest Author | Aug 29, 2019 | Child Find, Elementary School, Finding Balance, High School, IEP, KIDS, Middle School, Parents, Preschool, YOU
By Valerie Abbott For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wrestled with conflicting emotions during the last week of summer break. And the older I get, the more I struggle. The first day of school, just a few days away, will be filled with excitement: new...
by Guest Author | Jun 8, 2018 | BABY, Diagnosis, Finding Balance, New Mom/Dad, Parents, Uncategorized, YOU
By Valerie Abbott I recently attended an event for families of children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. Nearly 60 people were coming for this ice cream social on a hot summer day at a park in Roanoke, Virginia. A small army of volunteers had gathered there early to...
by Guest Author | Apr 9, 2018 | Advocacy, BABY, Diagnosis, Early Intervention, Individuals, Medical Team, Parents, RELATIONSHIPS, Self-Advocacy, Uncategorized, YOU
by Irene Schmalz I am the Liaison to the Deaf/Hard of Hearing at the Center for Family Involvement. My primary focus is to help parents who just found out their child has failed the newborn hearing screening and/or received the diagnosis of a hearing loss. As part of...
by Guest Author | Mar 6, 2018 | Advocacy, Elementary School, High School, Home Life, Individuals, KIDS, Middle School, Parents, Preschool, YOU
By Valerie Abbott When my daughter was diagnosed with a moderate to severe bilateral hearing loss at age 2, we did a lot of research about hearing aids and genetic testing. We learned the difference between an IFSP, an IEP and a 504 plan. We pursued speech and...
by Erin Croyle | Dec 10, 2015 | BABY, Diagnosis, Finding Balance, Parents, PREGNANCY, Prenatal Diagnosis
We are often so caught up in trying to do everything we can for our children, we lose sight of what is important. In the moment, everything is critical: find the right therapist, craft the perfect IEP, create tangible goals, keep up with every recommended doctors...