Auditory-Verbal Therapy: Science, Research and Practice

Inspired by the work of the pioneers of Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT), this comprehensive book respectfully offers detailed, in-depth knowledge and insights about the science, research, and practice of AVT for current and future generations of AVT practitioners.

Edited by world renown experts with contributions by a global cohort of authors, Auditory-Verbal Therapy: Science, Research, and Practice is highly relevant to today s community of practitioners of Auditory-Verbal Therapy (LSLS Cert. AVT), and to those who are working towards LSLS Cert. AVT certification. It is also an excellent resource for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, teachers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, administrators, psychologists, cochlear implant surgeons, primary care physicians, social workers, and other allied health and education professionals. Although written primarily for practitioners, it will be a welcome resource for parents, family members, and other caregivers who love children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and for whom the desired outcomes are listening, spoken language, and literacy.

The book is divided into five parts:

Part I: Overview of AVT: Foundations and Fundamentals

This section covers the philosophy, history, and principles of AVT, including outcome data, results of a new survey of LSLS Cert. AVT community on global practice patterns in AVT; information on auditory brain development, and evaluation of evidence-based and evidence-informed practice for the new decade.

Part II: Audiology, Hearing Technologies, and Speech Acoustics for AVT

This section covers audiology and AVT, hearing aids, implantable and hearing assistive devices, and in-depth speech acoustics for AVT.
 

Part III: Developmental Domains in AVT

This section covers the development of listening, three-dimensional conversations, speech, play, cognition, and literacy, as applied to AVT.

 

Part IV: Auditory-Verbal Therapy in Action

Here strategies for developing listening, talking and thinking in AVT are covered, including parent coaching, the AVT Session: planning, delivery and evaluation, music and singing, assessment and inclusion of AVT children in the regular pre-school.
 

Part V: Extending and Expanding the Practice of AVT

The final section includes information on children with complex hearing issues, children with additional challenges, multilingualism, children and families experiencing adversity, tele-practice, coaching and mentoring practitioners, and cost-benefit of AVT.

Warren Estabrooks, M.Ed., Dip. Ed. Deaf, LSLS Cert. AVT, is the President and CEO of WE Listen International, a global consulting company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He and his consulting team provide education, training, and professional practice development in Auditory-Verbal Therapy for practitioners who work with children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families around the world. Former teacher at the Toronto District School Board and Director of the Auditory Learning Centre of the Learning to Listen Foundation at North York General Hospital in Toronto, Mr. Estabrooks was also a Founding Director of Auditory-Verbal International and of the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language. He is the honored patron of the Warren Estabrooks Centre of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Soundsteps of Mumbai and London, and the Warren Estabrooks Speakers' Series of SoundIntuition, Toronto. He is a recognized Canadian of Distinction, recipient of many professional and humanitarian awards, and he has made numerous significant contributions to the literature.

Helen McCaffrey Morrison, PhD, CCC/A (Retired), LSLS Cert. AVT, is an educator, audiologist, and Auditory-Verbal Therapist. As an Associate Professor at Texas Christian University she taught future educators and speech-language pathologists and published research in both early speech development and Auditory-Verbal practice patterns. Following retirement, she founded Listening-Speaking-Learning, mentoring professionals and teaching global online courses. Helen served in the AG Bell Academy as a member of the Certification Committee and the Mentoring Committee. Helen is a co-author of the Mentor s Guide to Auditory-Verbal Competencies. She received the Health Care Hero Award, Research and Academic Division from the Dallas Business Journal.

Karen MacIver-Lux, MA, Aud(C), Reg. CASLPO, LSLS Cert. AVT, is President and CEO of SoundIntuition, a company that provides continuing education opportunities, training, and consulting for professionals who work with children who have communication disorders. She is also Director of MacIver-Lux Auditory Learning Services in Toronto, and a proud consultant of WE Listen International, Inc. Formerly, she was Coordinator of Clinical Services at the Learning to Listen Foundation, of which she is a graduate. She has had a cochlear implant since 2009 after which she received auditory skills training. Karen was director of the Board of Auditory-Verbal International Inc., and was honored by Maclean's magazine as one of the top 100 young Canadians.