The mission of Chattering Children is equipping children with hearing loss and their families with a foundation for lifelong learning through listening and spoken language. Our non-profit agency provides an array of services anchored by Auditory-Verbal Therapy both at our McLean Center and throughout the Washington Metropolitan Region.
• Auditory-Verbal Therapy: The core of our practice at Chattering Children has always been Auditory-Verbal therapy, a family-centered, deliberate approach to develop the listening and language skills of children with hearing loss. Principles of this approach include use of state-of-the-art hearing technology, ongoing assessment, and actively coaching families to become the primary facilitators of spoken language for their child. The goal of Auditory-Verbal Therapy is to maximize children's potential in listening and spoken language, and to transition them into regular education settings.
• Parent-Infant Playgroup: Our monthly facilitated-playgroup for infants and toddlers with hearing loss and their caregivers is directed by an Auditory-Verbal therapist. Each session integrates listening and language with rich sensorymotor and play experiences. Parents receive "coaching" as they learn to target communication skills and integrate principles of the Auditory-Verbal approach into daily family life. Families also receive education and support in utilizing hearing technology and recognizing developmental milestones, as well as the camaraderie of other parents.
• Preschool Music Groups: Our "Sing With Me Playgroups" are a natural extension of Chattering Children's family centered, Auditory-Verbal method used musically based experiences as a natural context to target auditory, language, and speech skills. Our therapists act as coaches and guides for families so that they build their own repertoire of activities, and develop competence in using Auditory-Verbal strategies. Activities for the group include singing simple songs, using finger plays and rhymes, dancing and other movement activities, integrating songs with stories and puppet play, and experimenting with rythem instruments. Each session highlights specific competencies related to communication and includes a simple take-home-and try-it activity.
• Children's Theater Workshops: At Chattering Children we have worked with local partners to develop a Theater Workshop for elementary school students with hearing loss. The program is designed to target a broad range of skills to build reading fluency and comprehension as well as expressive communication. The Theater Workshop format offers an engaging, age appropriate context to support both literacy skills and social competence while offering a rich experience that integrates elements of literature. history. arts, and music through drama production. The semester-long programs are provided at no cost and are hosted at community sites in the region. The culmination of the workshop is a full-scale production at a high profile venue. Our Spring 2009 production played at the Kennedy Center in Washington. D.C. and in March 2010 students with hearing loss in the Richmond area will perform another exciting production.
• Cochlear Implant Habilitation: Unlike the Auditory-Verbal Therapy that focuses on the development of auditory skills in conjunction with spoken language development, our cochlear implant habilitation is for children and teens that are already competent users of spoken language, but have a newly activated cochlear implant. The sessions focus on supporting the development of auditory skills for the newly activated ear using the new equipment and integrating information from first and second ears.
• Academic Support: As experts in the area of language and learning for children with hearing loss, Chattering Children provides targeted academic support that compliments students' Individualized Education Plans. With a focus on reading comprehension, critical thinking, and oral expression, the educational team at Chattering Children offers strategic support for the student with hearing loss who is having difficulty in the classroom.