Children, parents, and professionals in partnership |
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Family Stories: Nadia's Story Nadia
Nadia was diagnosed as having a left-corner audiogram at age 23 months. She received a cochlear implant at age 3. Once the diagnosis was over we didn't know what to do, day to day, at home. We met Jacqueline soon after & said "We don't know how to play with Nadia and we want you to teach us." Jacqueline played with Nadia (very fast) and explained to us what she was doing & why as she went along. She expected Nadia to speak on day one. She noticed very quiet sounds that Nadia made and taught us to notice them and encourage them. The sessions were fun - full of games that each lasted only a few minutes. There were a couple of regular listening games, but mostly the games were new each week. Nadia had fun, and looked really engaged. We felt better too. "The most important thing is to encourage Nadia to use her voice" - so that was the first goal. Nadia started to make noises as a game, then as a way of getting attention (i.e. to say "Hey!"). Meanwhile we needed to change our habit of not talking to Nadia when we were in a hurry. E.g. we would go out of a room without telling her where we were going. If it was time to go we just got her coat and put it on her. Jacqueline taught us to slow down, ask Nadia "Where is your coat, your coat? Co-oat! Co-oat! Where are you?" She put one hand on her forehead (and so did Nadia), took Nadia's other hand and started hunting the coat. We could take that game straight home. We would point at the coat (though keep saying, "Where's your coat?") only if it looked like Nadia wouldn't understand it. But she usually did. And then she found a nappy, and her shoes. She knew lots of words and we'd just found out. Four months later Nadia was really talking. 'But now we don't know what she is saying.' 'Say things like "Where is it? What do you want?" Mostly she'll want you to come and look at something, or get her something.' Things have got better and better and Jacqueline continues to inspire and entertain us. Videos of Nadia
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![Nadia [left] and Maya](images/pic_nadia.jpg)
"I like to go to Jacqueline. She is so funny. We play funny games. I like the penguins one. It's my favourite. I love it. I love Jacqueline. We play together without any mistakes in the games. Jacqueline have a daughter. She is called Francesca. Maya played with Jacqueline and Francesca."