Chattering Children
Chattering Child in Focus
Patrick's Story
By: Lori Marsh, mom
SLOW BUT STEADY WINS THE RACE.
This old expression aptly describes Patrick's life journey so far. Patrick is nine years old, attends third grade at The Katherine Thomas School in Rockville MD and is a bright, fun-loving, happy kid. Beginning with an emergency delivery Patrick faced many challenges including a lengthy hospital stay, surgery, and feeding issues. Fortunately many of the scary medical problems did resolve over time, but two lasting effects were a profound hearing loss and motor development delays. Patrick began an Early Intervention program right away and started on a long term regimen of physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Once we learned about cochlear implants we pushed to have the surgery for Patrick. The doctors in the Boston area in the late nineties were less confident then than they probably are today about how successful an implant might be for a child with additional disabilities, but we kept pushing and finally Patrick got his implant at age 2-1/2.
Patrick has achieved the standard physical milestones more slowly than most children, but with his determined attitude (at home we call it stubbornness) he has learned to walk, run, jump and play many sports. Last winter he was a real star on his elementary school's basketball team! Learning to talk has also been a long and arduous journey due to the physical challenges that affect his posture, breath control and mouth movements. As parents we have often been frustrated by doctors, teachers and therapists who have expressed or demonstrated low expectations for our son because of his delays. After a move from Boston to Virginia in 2000 Patrick's language progress did seem to stagnate for awhile as we bounced around a lot trying to find the right educational and therapy services for Patrick. We will never forget our first visit to Chattering Children when Pratibha said to us, "I just want you to know that Patrick is going to be fine". We knew we had found a place that could see a path of success for Patrick and who would also teach us how to work with him at home.
Chattering Children has really figured Patrick out; they know how to motivate him to get him to work hard during his therapy sessions and they have come up with many strategies for addressing his unique physical challenges. Best of all, Chattering Children has never lowered its expectations for what Patrick will be able to accomplish down the road. We no longer feel like we're treading water in place. Patrick is progressing and his speech and language skills are continuously improving, albeit at a slow but steady pace. Nowadays we feel like we're getting to see and know new sides of our son. His comedic side is emerging, and he frequently cracks us up with a funny line. He likes to tattle on his older brother just like any other kid. He shows a real zest for trying any new activity and will practice hard to get accomplished at it. Patrick's path may be a little bumpier, but there's no doubt that he's going far.
Sean's Story
SLOW BUT STEADY WINS THE RACE.
This old expression aptly describes Patrick's life journey so far. Patrick is nine years old, attends third grade at The Katherine Thomas School in Rockville MD and is a bright, fun-loving, happy kid. Beginning with an emergency delivery Patrick faced many challenges including a lengthy hospital stay, surgery, and feeding issues. Fortunately many of the scary medical problems did resolve over time, but two lasting effects were a profound hearing loss and motor development delays. Patrick began an Early Intervention program right away and started on a long term regimen of physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Once we learned about cochlear implants we pushed to have the surgery for Patrick. The doctors in the Boston area in the late nineties were less confident then than they probably are today about how successful an implant might be for a child with additional disabilities, but we kept pushing and finally Patrick got his implant at age 2-1/2.
Patrick has achieved the standard physical milestones more slowly than most children, but with his determined attitude (at home we call it stubbornness) he has learned to walk, run, jump and play many sports. Last winter he was a real star on his elementary school's basketball team! Learning to talk has also been a long and arduous journey due to the physical challenges that affect his posture, breath control and mouth movements. As parents we have often been frustrated by doctors, teachers and therapists who have expressed or demonstrated low expectations for our son because of his delays. After a move from Boston to Virginia in 2000 Patrick's language progress did seem to stagnate for awhile as we bounced around a lot trying to find the right educational and therapy services for Patrick. We will never forget our first visit to Chattering Children when Pratibha said to us, "I just want you to know that Patrick is going to be fine". We knew we had found a place that could see a path of success for Patrick and who would also teach us how to work with him at home.
Chattering Children has really figured Patrick out; they know how to motivate him to get him to work hard during his therapy sessions and they have come up with many strategies for addressing his unique physical challenges. Best of all, Chattering Children has never lowered its expectations for what Patrick will be able to accomplish down the road. We no longer feel like we're treading water in place. Patrick is progressing and his speech and language skills are continuously improving, albeit at a slow but steady pace. Nowadays we feel like we're getting to see and know new sides of our son. His comedic side is emerging, and he frequently cracks us up with a funny line. He likes to tattle on his older brother just like any other kid. He shows a real zest for trying any new activity and will practice hard to get accomplished at it. Patrick's path may be a little bumpier, but there's no doubt that he's going far.
Sean's Story
By: Alisia Jackson, mom
Sean Alexander Cartell Jackson, a vivacious and energetic three-year-old, is the oldest of three brothers. His brothers are Tavares, 22 months, and Marquis, 8 months. At home and at school, Sean is very helpful and always wants to be involved.
Sean accumulated a small vocabulary by the age of 16 months, then his words started coming slower. He started pointing, and gestures replaced words. We became concerned when we noticed that he did not respond when we spoke to him corrected him when he misbehaved. We asked his pediatrician for advice, but he did not seem concerned. We took matters into our own hands and called an audiologist. We were blessed with Sean Kassetter at MCV. He got everything in place for Sean to see a cochlear implant surgeon, and he told us about Chattering Children.
Chattering Children loaned us hearing aids and got Sean started quickly in therapy. Emily Pinion, Sean’s therapist, and Laura Saia, his teacher, worked patiently and diligently with him. Sean is a fast learner and surprised all of us! His responses and behavior improved. On September 12, 2005, he had his cochlear implant surgery. After a few days of healing, he was back to his normal, vibrant, inquisitive self. I was so elated that my child was now able to hear!
Sean has come a long way in the past year. We are so amazed at how he is learning to express himself since he started attending Chattering Children. He lets us know if the phone is ringing or the doorbell chimes. When he hears the birds sing, he tries to imitate them, and he loves to hear the train whistle! Sean comes home singing songs, wanting to help clean up, and coloring in his coloring book. Sean has made so much progress in a year’s time that everyone who knows him is amazed! We owe it all to Chattering Children for their hard work and dedication to children with hearing loss, teaching them to use spoken words.
Maddie's Story
By: Sandra Colello, mom
Maddie is bright, beautiful, bossy, talks constantly and loves to dance on our pool table and sing - she is also deaf. She is the youngest of three children, her brother Ian is 9 and her sister Rachel is 8. Maddie was born on June 19th, 2001. She passed her Newborn Hearing Test, and was perfectly healthy. By the age of 2, I was concerned that her speech was not progressing as rapidly as her siblings. She babbled constantly, but wasn’t saying any real words. I expressed concern to her pediatrician that “she just wasn’t getting it”. I thought the problem was with her understanding what was being said, I didn’t suspect for an instant that she was losing her hearing. The doctor stood behind Maddie and said her name – she turned around. He said to wait 6 months and see. After 2 months, I was still worried about her speech and was advised to get her hearing checked at the Children’s Hospital. I still didn’t think it was a hearing problem but agreed to the test.
I was in complete shock when the test revealed that she had a moderate to severe hearing loss, that was sensorineural, permanent and probably, progressive. I cried all the way home. Later that day I asked for a second opinion and was referred to Mary Ann Fighera at Virginia, Ear, Nose and Throat Associates. She confirmed the result and told us about Chattering Children. Maddie’s hearing rapidly worsened and soon it was clear that the hearing aids were not enough. She was evaluated for candidacy for a cochlear implant and underwent surgery on March 31st, 2003, 6 months after she was first diagnosed.
Maddie first met Pratibha before she had her hearing aids. She was the only one who said those important words “she will be fine”. Maddie has received auditory-verbal therapy at Chattering Children ever since. When “SPEAK UP” started Maddie was in the first class of 3 year olds, along with Trey and MT. Maddie is now 5 years old and attends class 5 days a week, still alongside Trey and MT. All of them are good friends and together their speech has progressed to the stage that all of them are on track to be mainstreamed. The small class size and well-trained teachers have been the main reason that Maddie has done so well. She has a close rapport with all of her teachers, Emily, Amy and Laura. Every morning she is excited to come to school.
I have also been fortunate to work at Chattering Children. My most challenging task in 2006 was to organize our 1st Annual Golf Tournament. Thanks to all the businesses and individuals who helped us this year, the tournament was a success and we are already planning next year’s tournament which will be even bigger and better.
Maddie also attended the golf tournament and read out the winning raffle numbers. She loves to perform in front of an audience. Maddie loves to sing and dance and tell her brother and sister what to do. She has a strong personality that I am sure will help her negotiate those hurdles that life will throw at her. Maddie is enrolled in a ballet and tap class and can’t wait until her recital in May 2007. I know more than a few tears will be shed that day…
Sean Alexander Cartell Jackson, a vivacious and energetic three-year-old, is the oldest of three brothers. His brothers are Tavares, 22 months, and Marquis, 8 months. At home and at school, Sean is very helpful and always wants to be involved.
Sean accumulated a small vocabulary by the age of 16 months, then his words started coming slower. He started pointing, and gestures replaced words. We became concerned when we noticed that he did not respond when we spoke to him corrected him when he misbehaved. We asked his pediatrician for advice, but he did not seem concerned. We took matters into our own hands and called an audiologist. We were blessed with Sean Kassetter at MCV. He got everything in place for Sean to see a cochlear implant surgeon, and he told us about Chattering Children.
Chattering Children loaned us hearing aids and got Sean started quickly in therapy. Emily Pinion, Sean’s therapist, and Laura Saia, his teacher, worked patiently and diligently with him. Sean is a fast learner and surprised all of us! His responses and behavior improved. On September 12, 2005, he had his cochlear implant surgery. After a few days of healing, he was back to his normal, vibrant, inquisitive self. I was so elated that my child was now able to hear!
Sean has come a long way in the past year. We are so amazed at how he is learning to express himself since he started attending Chattering Children. He lets us know if the phone is ringing or the doorbell chimes. When he hears the birds sing, he tries to imitate them, and he loves to hear the train whistle! Sean comes home singing songs, wanting to help clean up, and coloring in his coloring book. Sean has made so much progress in a year’s time that everyone who knows him is amazed! We owe it all to Chattering Children for their hard work and dedication to children with hearing loss, teaching them to use spoken words.
Maddie's Story
By: Sandra Colello, mom
Maddie is bright, beautiful, bossy, talks constantly and loves to dance on our pool table and sing - she is also deaf. She is the youngest of three children, her brother Ian is 9 and her sister Rachel is 8. Maddie was born on June 19th, 2001. She passed her Newborn Hearing Test, and was perfectly healthy. By the age of 2, I was concerned that her speech was not progressing as rapidly as her siblings. She babbled constantly, but wasn’t saying any real words. I expressed concern to her pediatrician that “she just wasn’t getting it”. I thought the problem was with her understanding what was being said, I didn’t suspect for an instant that she was losing her hearing. The doctor stood behind Maddie and said her name – she turned around. He said to wait 6 months and see. After 2 months, I was still worried about her speech and was advised to get her hearing checked at the Children’s Hospital. I still didn’t think it was a hearing problem but agreed to the test.
I was in complete shock when the test revealed that she had a moderate to severe hearing loss, that was sensorineural, permanent and probably, progressive. I cried all the way home. Later that day I asked for a second opinion and was referred to Mary Ann Fighera at Virginia, Ear, Nose and Throat Associates. She confirmed the result and told us about Chattering Children. Maddie’s hearing rapidly worsened and soon it was clear that the hearing aids were not enough. She was evaluated for candidacy for a cochlear implant and underwent surgery on March 31st, 2003, 6 months after she was first diagnosed.
Maddie first met Pratibha before she had her hearing aids. She was the only one who said those important words “she will be fine”. Maddie has received auditory-verbal therapy at Chattering Children ever since. When “SPEAK UP” started Maddie was in the first class of 3 year olds, along with Trey and MT. Maddie is now 5 years old and attends class 5 days a week, still alongside Trey and MT. All of them are good friends and together their speech has progressed to the stage that all of them are on track to be mainstreamed. The small class size and well-trained teachers have been the main reason that Maddie has done so well. She has a close rapport with all of her teachers, Emily, Amy and Laura. Every morning she is excited to come to school.
I have also been fortunate to work at Chattering Children. My most challenging task in 2006 was to organize our 1st Annual Golf Tournament. Thanks to all the businesses and individuals who helped us this year, the tournament was a success and we are already planning next year’s tournament which will be even bigger and better.
Maddie also attended the golf tournament and read out the winning raffle numbers. She loves to perform in front of an audience. Maddie loves to sing and dance and tell her brother and sister what to do. She has a strong personality that I am sure will help her negotiate those hurdles that life will throw at her. Maddie is enrolled in a ballet and tap class and can’t wait until her recital in May 2007. I know more than a few tears will be shed that day…