Tools, description and use in Early Intervention (birth-3yrs. old):

A) Tool: Big Mack

Description: A round switch like toy.

Use: Easily records sounds presented.  Once a sound is presented a child can activate the switch to hear the sound.  This toy can be used for teaching cause/effect, interactive turn-taking skills, imitation, and localization.  It can also be used to teach intonation, socialization, and a variety of other skills.  This tool is highly recommended by various E.I. Teachers.

Goals: Develop expressive language.
            Obj: imitate two syllables.
            Expand receptive language.
            Obj: follow one-step directions.
            Expand auditory skills.
            Obj: localize environmental sounds.
            Expand cognitive ability.
            Obj: activate cause and effect toys.
             Expand motor skills.
             Obj: reach for toys.

Strategies: Record familiar voice, encourage child to listen to voice and respond.  Demonstrate how to activate toy.  Wait! Demonstrate again.  Say “Do you hear that?” Show child the Big Mack and activate it, wait to see if the child responds (watch eye gaze and body movements) if child does not respond say “I hear something, where is that sound coming from? Oh, I here it is, I found it”. Show the child the Big Mack again and activate it for them.  To encourage receptive language, record simple directions, repeat and follow the directions.  Have the child interact, imitate, and learn with you.

B) Tool: Choices in Deafness

Schwarz, Sue. (1996) choices in Deafness. Bethesda:
Woodbine House, Inc.

Description: A book by Sue Schwarz

Use: Assist in explanation of various communication modalities.  It is important when children are newly diagnosed to provide parents with a fair, objective view of communication options.

Goals: Explore possible communication modalities.
            Obj: Parents will demonstrate understanding of total communication, auditory-verbal, and bi-bi approaches.
            Expand knowledge of auditory testing.
            Obj: Parents will develop questions to discuss with their              audiologist.

Strategies: This book may be used as a reference for the therapist.  If it would not be overwhelming it may be a great book for a family to read.  As with all materials it is up to the therapist and their relationship with the families that they are assisting.

C) Tool: Open-ended questions

Description: Questions that are designed to have families provide information.
 

Goals: Develop a family-centered relationship with all family members.
           Obj: Families will answer questions.  Parent advisor will listen and discuss situations with family members.  Facilitators should remain objective and family friendly.

Strategies: Open-ended questions need to be relevant to the situation.  They require more than a “yes” or “no” answer and usually start with “how”, “what”, “when”, “why”, “where”, or “who”.  Open-ended questions require the family member to expand on the current situation without placing guilt or judgement.