Book Description

Since the first edition of this text, families across English-speaking nations have become more diverse and complex, more early intervention practitioners have begun embracing the imperative for family-centered early intervention, and increasingly more families and their young children with hearing loss have been requesting the services of auditory-verbal practitioners. This second edition, designed to be more reader-friendly, is a cross-cultural collaboration of expert family-centered practitioners that focus on how families and their infants and toddlers with hearing loss might best be served. Toward that end, the authors in this book examine the process toward certification in the field of auditory-verbal practice and the empirical bases as well as research outcomes pertaining to this global-wide practice. The development of a systemic and positive perspective, critical for practitioners who must evolve to serve more than just the parent-child dyad, is analyzed. Theoretical and practical bases of family-based models and parent-child interactions are explored. Issues related to diverse family structures and interactions are considered across chapters. The family decision-making process and family-centered strategies that can be effectively implemented by practitioners are discussed in detail. Implementing and evaluating routines-based interventions within natural environments as well as ways of engaging families with current technologies are included in this comprehensive resource. This book provides early intervention service providers with thought-provoking insights into the challenges and opportunities that affect 21st century auditory-verbal practice.