This term we have reached 100 enrolments within our Chatterbox program!
This is a significant milestone for our program and we feel honoured and privileged to support so many families through our early intervention services.

 

What is the Chatterbox program?

The Chatterbox program is our early intervention program that supports children aged 0-5 years with a permanent hearing loss learn to listen and speak, so that they may reach their full potential.

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It is an early intervention, interdisciplinary program that guides and coaches parents in strategies and techniques to assist their child to develop oral language and functional life skills across all areas. 

 

What services are provided?

Chatterbox is a family-centred model with the
family at the centre of all we do. 
Our families are supported by a team of:
 

• Speech Pathologists
   

• Audiologists
   

• Occupational therapists
   

• Teachers of the Deaf
   

• Psychologist

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We offer families flexible service in the form of:

• All children enrolled in the Chatterbox program are eligible to attend individual sessions with an Auditory-Verbal Therapist or Speech Pathologist. These sessions are designed to provide parents with the skills to support their child develop their listening, speech and language skills.
   

• Our groups are run by a mix of Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists and a Teacher of the Deaf. The group aims to connect families on a similar journey, as well as teaching families strategies and techniques to support their child’s development.
   

• If required, families also have access to additional sessions with an Occupational Therapist.
   

• Our Audiology department is able to provide families with any testing that is required and liaising with Hearing Australia and Perth Children’s Hospital.
   

• Psychology support is also available.

 

As enrolments have grown so has our team. We offer training and support to all members of our team to ensure they are able to provide evidence-informed services for our families.

 

What is Auditory Verbal Therapy?

Auditory Verbal Therapy is a highly specialised, early intervention, family-centred, coaching approach that equips parents and caregivers with the tools needed to support the development of their child’s listening and spoken language. Telethon Speech & Hearing (TSH) is the State’s premier provider of AVT.

 

Some of the principles of AVT include:

• Early detection: Auditory-Verbal instruction begins upon diagnosis of hearing loss.
   

• Appropriate amplification: Amplification technology will maximise the individual’s residual hearing.
   

• Family participation: Caregivers are taught through guidance, training and demonstration, how to become the primary facilitator of their child’s spoken language development.
   

• Listening to speak: The child learns to speak through listening to natural sounding speech. Correct spoken models of language are crucial to the child’s language and speech development.

 

Why is early intervention important?

• Early intervention services can help caregivers understand hearing loss and gain confidence to support their child’s development. It also guides families in identifying their child's strengths and needs so they may advocate for them as grow and integrate into their community.
   

• To help children with a hearing loss learn to communicate, to use any available hearing and to interact socially.
   

• To help children with hearing loss become fully participating members of their family and community.
   

• To support the development of skills for academic and occupational success.

 

As the numbers of families we support and our team grows we are constantly evolving and striving to improve our services.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Chatterbox families for allowing us the opportunity to be part of your family’s journey.