Episodios

  • 13: Is my deaf child progressing?

    13: Is my deaf child progressing?
    Apr 1 2026
    Progress is at the heart of effective early intervention. The only way to determine whether a child is progressing is to measure development objectively: with data. Auditory-Verbal Therapy recommends administering internationally standardised assessments annually, to quantify developmental progress and track age-equivalent performance in children who are deaf or hard of hearing.In this thirteenth episode, Shefali Shah is joined by Rashi Sanghi in an honest, penetrating conversation on how to plan for progress. Through coaching and guidance, Rashi has evolved into a confident, discerning, and responsive parent who now leads her child’s intervention journey with insight and purpose. Her transformation, from being dismissive to deeply appreciative of her child’s perspective, is a testament to what becomes possible when parents drive AVT.Children with congenital hearing loss often begin life at a developmental disadvantage, as hearing begins in utero by 20 weeks. That means we need more than 12 months of developmental progress in 12 months of time to close this gap.Auditory-Verbal Therapy facilitates this through an active, intentional, and responsive process. It places parents at the centre of services, providing a structured framework and treatment plan that evolves continuously to meet the child’s changing developmental needs.Auditory-Verbal Therapy centres the parent. And when parents take the wheel, children thrive.This is The Sound Steps Podcast.🎧 Top Tips from Episode 13 Absorb Consolidate Demonstrate Measure progress. Use internationally standardised assessments to track your child’s development objectively. Parents drive AV Therapy. With coaching and support, parents plan, implement, and adapt intervention goals. Close the developmental gap. Deliver more than 12 months’ progress in 12 month’s time. Use data to plan: Use the data from assessments to plan systematically and on an on-going basis. Intervention must be dynamic. Auditory-Verbal Therapy AVT is a responsive, evolving process that adapts as your child’s needs and skills grow. Time Stamps:00:00:00 Introduction00:00:1:10 Introduction to this episode 00:02:10 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents00:02:20 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child00:02:49 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development00:03:16 Abundant choices open up through AVT00:03:48 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification.00:03:55 A life free of limitations00:04:04 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps00:04:15 Links and contact details00:04:22 Resources00:04:43 Measuring progress with data00:05:54 Standardised assessments00:07:40 Congenital hearing loss has an inherent developmental delay00:09:12 Closing the developmental gap00:09:46 Systematic and on-going planning00:10:38 The Auditory-Verbal Treatment Plan00:11:25 Demonstration of mastery00:12:21 Introducing our guests on this episode00:13:05 Transitioning caregivers to driving therapy00:15:03 Confident parenting00:15:30 Appreciating your child’s perspective00:16:22 Inviting parent participation in planning00:20:22 Delivering at least 12 months’ progress in 12 months’ time00:20:53 Pace of progress00:21:54 Reflection00:22:40 Our next episode: Keeping up with my childResources:💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/ 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk Resources — Understanding and Measuring ProgressEstabrooks, W., Morrison, H. M., & MacIver-Lux, K. (2020). Auditory-Verbal Therapy: For Young Children with Hearing Loss and Their Families, and the Practitioners Who Guide Them. Plural Publishing.Madell, J., & Hewitt, L. (2013). Why Can’t My Child Hear? Plural Publishing.Moeller, M. P. (2000). Early intervention and language development in children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Pediatrics, 106(3), e43.The LOCHI Study: The Longitudinal Outcomes of Children with Hearing Impairment https://www.outcomes.nal.gov.au/key-findings (2018) www.nal.gov.au www.outcomes.nal.gov.au
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    24 m
  • 12: My Child Isnt Talking

    12: My Child Isnt Talking
    Mar 16 2026

    Do you worry that your deaf or hard of hearing child is not talking as yet or that she is not talking enough? Listen to this episode: My deaf child isn’t talking which directly addresses your concerns and guides you through them.

    Shefali Shah's conversation with Sheena Kurian in this twelfth episode, guides listeners through the natural developmental sequence of language acquisition, emphasising that comprehension precedes expression. Just like children with typical hearing, your deaf or hard of hearing child will speak, with optimal amplification, once she has built a sufficiently strong foundation of listening and understanding.

    With clear examples and practical insights, Shefali constantly reminds the listener that expressive communication is built on the bedrock of enriched family conversations.

    AV Techniques such as Modelling, Waiting, and Sabotage create opportunities that invite spoken responses, sparking and fulfilling your child’s communicative intent. Perceptive observation offers the insight you need to support your child’s expressive language development.

    Most importantly, this episode reframes the AV Technique of Waiting, not as weakness, but as a stage, onto which to invite your child to talk.

    This is The Sound Steps Podcast.

    🎧 Top Tips from Episode 12

    • Optimal amplification. Provide your child with sufficient and clear access to the speech signal.
    • Spark Communicative Intent. Harness your child’s desire to communicate.
    • Understand typical speech development. Children learn to understand before they talk.
    • The foundation for talking is comprehension. Receptive language lays the foundation for expressive language development.
    • Practice the Wait cue. Invite your child’s participation by waiting.Use Sabotage. Provoke a spoken response from your child.
    • Modelling. Provide the blue-print, especially if your child falters or looks to you for help to express herself.
    • Observe your child. She will cue you in to her communicative needs.
    • Embed your exchanges in Conversation to raise a fluent speaker.


    Time Stamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction
    00:01:09 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents
    00:01:18 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child
    00:01:50AVT facilitates age-appropriate development
    00:02:21 Abundant choices open up through AVT
    00:02:48 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification.
    00:02:54 A life free of limitations
    00:03:05 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps
    00:03:12 Links and contact details
    00:03:18 Auditory-Verbal Techniques
    00:03:36 AV Technique: Sabotage
    00:04:00 AV Technique: Modelling
    00:04:33 Introduction to this episode
    00:05:08 Does your child have sufficient access to the speech signal?
    00:05:57 Optimal amplification
    00:06:44 Timely intervention
    00:07:31 Aided audiogram
    00:08:00 CI assisted audiogram
    00:08:27 Amplification to facilitate clear imitation
    00:08:59 The Pragmatics of spoken language communication
    00:09:24 Introducing our guests on this episode: Sheena Kurian
    00:09:43 The human brain wants to learn
    00:09:58 Communicative Intent
    00:11:32 Typical patterns of speech development
    00:13:42 The AV Technique: the Wait Cue
    00:16:08 The AV Technique: Sabotage
    00:16:53 The AV Technique: Modelling
    00:19:12 Embed in Conversation
    00:22:09 Reflection
    00:22:49Our next episode: Is my deaf child progressing?


    Resources:

    • 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/
    • 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk
    • 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com
    • 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com
    • 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk
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    24 m
  • 11: Does my child understand

    11: Does my child understand
    Mar 1 2026
    Not understanding is not a calamity!In this eleventh episode: Does my deaf child understand?, Shefali Shah in conversation with families in her in-person therapy sessions in the UK and India, guides them to offer simple, clear explanations to their child for information they did not understand, without asking test questions, interrupting or simplifying content. These break the flow of interaction and dilute meaning. Instead, Shefali guides them to observe, listen, and believe.Engage completely with your child so that whatever you’re doing together feels relevant, meaningful, and engaging. With optimal amplification and early intervention, trust that your child is listening and then lean into that trust.Your child will let you know when something isn’t clear. This builds connection and genuine understanding.This is The Sound Steps Podcast.🎧 Top Tips from Episode 11 Connect with your child. Does your child relate to what you are talking about, playing, reading or doing together? Engage your child. If your child stays engaged, she is likely understanding.Talk through the day about what your child is about to do. Keep content meaningful. Relevance supports attention and recall. Trust that your baby is listening. Assumes that your child is optimally amplified. Explain clearly. Explain to your child what she doesn’t understand or has not understood. Observe closely. Watch for cues —your child will let you know if she hasn’t understood. Test questions and interruptions disrupt engagement. These break engagement and focus—and can obstruct understanding. Do not simplify excessively. Enrich with new language in meaningful contexts—not watered-down versions. Time Stamps:00:00:00 Introduction00:01:2090% of deaf children are born to hearing parents00:01:30 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child00:02:10 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development00:02:33 Abundant choices open up through AVT00:02:58 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification.00:03:10 A life free of limitations00:03:15 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps00:03:25 Links and contact details00:03:31 Introducing and thanking our guests on this episode: Rebecca Rajkumar00:04:38 Why would your child not understand?00:05:11 Connect to your child00:05:37 Ask: Does this interest your child?00:06:27 Engaging your child00:07:40 Talk through the day about what your child is about to do00:08:07 Stay relevant00:07:28 Children let us know when they don’t understand 00:08:26 Observation and recognition of engagement00:09:48 Optimal amplification00:10:03 The Speech String Bean00:10:19 Detect and comprehend soft conversation00:10:24 Detect and comprehend conversation at a distance00:10:26 Listening in noise00:11:16 Trust that your baby is listening 00:11:32 The OWL Strategy (Hanen Centre)00:12:12 Do not test your child00:12:26 Interruptions00:13:28 Blurring auditory memory00:14:40 Not understanding is not a calamity!00:15:54 Suspend doubt00:16:51 Explaining00:17:27 Do not dilute your message!00:20:18 Reflection00:20:46 Our next episode: My deaf child isn’t talking.Resources:💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/ 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk RESOURCES: Supporting Language ComprehensionCole, E. B., & Flexer, C. (2019). Children with hearing loss: Developing listening and talking birth to six, 4thed. San Diego: Plural Publishing. Madell, J., Flexer C., Schafer E., and Wolfe J., (2019), Pediatric Audiology: Diagnosis, Technology and Management, 3rd Edition, Thieme, NY.Madell, J. R. (2015), The Speech String Bean, Hearing Health and Technology Matters.Madell, J. R. (2012) Speech Perception -The Basics, Hearing Health and Technology Matters. https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearing-and-kids/2012/speech-perception-the-basics/
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    22 m
  • 10: Generalisation

    10: Generalisation
    Feb 16 2026

    Meaningful content engages children. They stay attentive. Variety in our use of vocabulary and language forms, builds deeper and more extensive learning pathways.

    In this tenth episode, Generalisation: Following up on targets in Auditory-Verbal Therapy, Shefali Shah and Rashi Sanghi bring this concept to life with real-world examples. Their conversation shows how frequency and variety are essential in building a child’s comprehension and ability to talk fluently.

    Generalisation refers to the sufficient and varied use of a language form so that a deaf or hard of hearing child can understand and use it spontaneously in everyday life, beyond structured practice.

    Embed learning across diverse moments and forms in every day, to enrich your deaf or hard of hearing child’s experience of life, language and learning.

    This is The Sound Steps Podcast.


    🎧 Top Tips from Episode 10

    • Generalisation refers to sufficiency and variety. Frequent and varied use of a word or concept helps your child move from understanding to confident use.
    • Focus on intent, not instruction. Engage in heartfelt exchanges that carry meaning.
    • Stay on target. Be spontaneous but keep your child’s weekly targets in sight.
    • Move beyond mere labelling in order to provide your child the enriched input she needs to learn.
    • Generalisation builds independence. With generalisation, children develop the confidence to experiment and use language independent of the contexts that they were shared with them.


    Time Stamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction
    00:01:10 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents
    00:01:21 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child
    00:01:52 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development
    00:02:22 Abundant choices open up through AVT
    00:02:47 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification.
    00:02:57 A life free of limitatio
    00:03:03 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps
    00:03:13 Links and contact details
    00:03:21 Introduction to this episode
    00:03:37 Frequency of use and variety are key to understanding language
    00:06:21 Gaining, engaging and holding attention with live voice
    00:07:09 Redundancy in parent-child interaction
    00:07:39 Abundance brings gaiety
    00:07:59 Doubt
    00:08:55 Heart-to-heart exchanges
    00:09:55 Staying on target
    00:10:37 Introducing our guest on this episode: Rashi Sanghi
    00:11:29 Using different forms of language to convey the same meaning
    00:12:36 Enriching language comprehension
    00:13:12 Providing the language that matches the child’s experience in the moment
    00:13:28 Context conveys meaning
    00:13:58 Using vocabulary in a variety of ways: not merely labelling
    00:14:48 Talking in complete sentences
    00:15:17 Accelerating learning
    00:15:35 Sufficiency of usage
    00:16:24 Generalisation facilitates comprehension
    00:17:39 Reflection
    00:18:23 Our next episode: Does my child understand?

    Resources:

    • 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/
    • 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk
    • 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com
    • 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com
    • 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk
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    19 m
  • 9: How To Instil Consistency

    9: How To Instil Consistency
    Feb 1 2026

    Focussing on your deaf or hard of hearing child’s hearing loss, can skew parenting. If you find yourself in this situation, listen to this episode to learn how, why and what to do about it.

    Consistency brings structure and order to a child’s day. With order comes predictability and with predictability comes a sense of security and confidence, especially for a deaf or hard of hearing child.

    In this ninth episode, Shefali Shah leads a spirited workshop discussion with three couples, exploring how regularity, rigour, and diligence in following up weekly targets help children strengthen their learning pathways.

    Children raised with consistency develop self-regulation, a life skill that underpins both learning and emotional resilience.

    Consistency builds an internal rhythm in children.

    This is The Sound Steps Podcast.

    🎧 Top Tips from Episode 9

    Evolving relationships: Each member of the family including your child has a unique relationship with the hearing loss; recognise and respect this dynamic.
    Consistency brings order. When children see a pattern between cause and effect, life feels safe because it is predictable.
    Consistency builds security. Repeated patterns help children know what to expect and reduce uncertainty.
    Consistency instils self-regulation. Your child learns when and how to manage behaviour and responses.
    Consistency supports learning pathways. Regular follow-up on targets reinforces neural connections and accelerates learning.

    Time Stamps:

    00:00:00 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents
    00:00:11 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child
    00:00:54 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development
    00:01:16 Abundant choices open up through AVT
    00:01:40 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification.
    00:01:48 A life free of limitations
    00:01:57 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps
    00:02:06 Links and contact details
    00:02:12 Resources
    00:02:23 Standing lines and sleeping lines explained
    00:02:54 Introduction
    00:03:29 Introducing our guests on this episode
    00:03:38 What does Consistency mean?
    00:04:42 The challenge of bringing family members on board
    00:06:24 Planning
    00:06:50 Practice and Automaticity
    00:07:55 Moving forward synchronously as a couple
    00:10:00 Consistency shapes your child’s world view
    00:12:54 Consistency and self-regulation
    00:13:41 Providing a safety net
    00:13:21 Consistency in following through with targets
    00:16:09 Reflection
    00:16:53 Our next episode: Generalisation

    Resources:

    • 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/
    • 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk
    • 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com
    • 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com
    • 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk

    📚 Resources :

    • Understanding the Importance of Structure and Consistency in Child Development (2024)by inclusiveteach.com

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    20 m
  • 8: Living the Auditory-Verbal Targets

    8: Living the Auditory-Verbal Targets
    Jan 16 2026
    Welcome to The Sound Steps Podcast: Conversations in Auditory-Verbal Therapy - exploring the transformative power of listening to develop fluent spoken language, conversational competence, clear speech, and age-appropriate development in children who are deaf or hard of hearing, one sound step at a time.

    Language carries meaning when it fulfils a child’s need to connect, to talk, to communicate a thought or to be understood. It is then that language is quickly learned.

    In Episode 8, Shefali Shah’s conversation with Rashi Sanghi and Sheena Kurian gives these mothers an opportunity to reflect on how they follow-through on therapy targets throughout their day with their cochlear implanted child.

    Drawing on real-life situations with their deaf or hard of hearing children, Shefali remodels and re-frames these examples so that the context conveys meaning. As a result, the child truly understands and learns, Living the Targets in Auditory-Verbal Therapy.

    Each carefully crafted exchange sets the child up for success.
    Planning, structuring, and staying responsive become part of the parenting rhythm, making life fun!

    This is The Sound Steps Podcast.
    🎯 Top Tips from Episode 8

    • Focus on the pragmatics of language. Every communication should fulfil a purpose or need within your child.
    • Structure follow-up meaningfully. Set up activities so that your child wants to participate and talk.
    • Integrate listening into every interaction. Design exchanges where your child so wants to participate, that she listens intently.
    • Set your child up for success. Use familiar language, and introduce only one new element at a time, in the early days.
    • Follow-up is fun! Living and learning with your deaf or hard of hearing child should be fun.

    Time Stamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction
    00:00:16 The Science of Auditory-Verbal Therapy
    00:02:05 The Art of Auditory-Verbal Therapy :Weaving weekly targets into daily routine
    00:02:51 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents
    00:03:03 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child
    00:03:33 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development
    00:04:00 Abundant choices open up through AVT
    00:04:28 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification.
    00:04:40 A life free of limitations
    00:04:45 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps
    00:04:56 Links and contact details
    00:05:14 Introducing our guests on this episode: Rashi Sanghi
    00:06:33 The implementation of targets must fulfil a need within the child to communicate
    00:07:07 Create opportunities for your child to demonstrate comprehension of the target
    00:07:55 Listening must be an integral part of structuring the message
    00:09:51 Use familiar language
    00:10:26 Setting the child up for success
    00:10:59 Choose your words carefully
    00:12:14 Introducing our second guest: Sheena Kurian
    00:13:06 Create more opportunities for your child to demonstrate comprehension of the target
    00:15:47 Replaying situations to achieve targets
    00:16:34 Waiting to encourage self-monitoring
    00:18:16 Setting up tasks to facilitate understanding
    00:19:43 Reflection
    00:20:57 Our next episode: Consistency

    Resources:

    • 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/
    • 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk
    • 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com
    • 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com
    • 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk




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    22 m
  • 7: The Magic of the Wait Cue

    7: The Magic of the Wait Cue
    Jan 1 2026
    Welcome to The Sound Steps Podcast: Conversations in Auditory-Verbal Therapy - exploring the transformative power of listening to develop fluent spoken language, conversational competence, clear speech, and age-appropriate development in children who are deaf or hard of hearing, one sound step at a time. Communication is more than an exchange: it is a relationship. In Auditory-Verbal Therapy, this relationship is intentional: something we seed, nurture, and keep working at. In this seventh episode, Shefali Shah is joined by Nicole Glazebrook: a dedicated and creative professional from her online Learn AVT course, in a deep and insightful conversation about one of the most deceptively simple yet impactful AVT techniques: the Wait Cue. Together, they explore how waiting, not rushing to fill the silence, creates the space young children need to process language, plan their response, and take ownership of their contribution to the conversation. The Wait Cue fosters trust, stimulates spontaneous language, and builds new cognitive connections. It also aligns beautifully with the OWL Strategy from the Hanen Centre — Observe, Wait, and Listen: a powerful approach to child-led communication and experience-based learning. This is The Sound Steps Podcast. 🎯Top Tips from Episode 7 Waiting creates space. Children need time to process what was said and to design a response. Don’t rush to fill the silence. Waiting builds trust and connection. When we pause with intention, we invite our child to contribute: as a partner, not a passive learner. The OWL Strategy is rooted in waiting. Observe, Wait, and Listen (Hanen Centre) aligns beautifully with AVT and strengthens child-led interaction. Waiting facilitates self-regulation. Giving time helps children reflect, formulate a meaningful response and monitor how they deliver it. Trust. Listen. Reflect. These are the pillars of interaction and the heart of language learning. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Introduction to this episode 00:01:26 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents 00:01:35 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child 00:02:17 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development 00:02:35 Abundant choices open up through AVT 00:03:02 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification. 00:03:12 A life free of limitations 00:03:20 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps 00:03:30 Links and contact details 00:03:35 Resources on this topic 00:03:57 AV Techniques: Sabotage 00:04:10AV Technique: The Wait Cue 00:05:06 Introducing our guest on this episode: Nicole Glazebrook 00:05:00 Introducing the Wait Cue 00:07:22 Waiting creates Space to process what was said 00:07:36 Takes reflection in order to practice 00:09:07 Waiting facilitates more initiation and participation from the child 00:09:56 Acknowledging that one doesn’t have answers 00:10:15 Becoming a good listener 00:10:47Allows time to observe 00:11:13 Comfortable with and in silence 00:11:29 Creates the Silence and Space for the child to figure things out for herself 00:12:37 Establishes trust 00:13:10 A deliberate Wait 00:13:50 The give-and-take of Waiting 00:14:52Releases pressure 00:15:15 Waiting is a deliberate slowing down of pace 00:16:38 Takes experience and confidence to practice 00:16:58 It’s okay not to have understood 00:17:20 The Hanen Centre: The OWL Strategy 00:19:10 Facilitates self-regulation 00:21:15 A comprehensive technique 00:21:27 Auditory-Verbal Therapy is a relationship 00:22:23 Reflection 00:22:54 Our next episode: Living the Targets Resources Mentioned in this Episode: 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/ 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk 📘 Resources: Estabrooks, W., Morrison, H. M., & MacIver‑Lux, K. (2020). Auditory‑Verbal Therapy: Science, Research & Practice (1st ed.). Plural Publishing.Manolson, A. (1992). It Takes Two to Talk: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Communicate. Hanen Centre.The Hanen Center, (2024),Waiting: The Key to Supporting Your Child’s Communication https://www.hanen.org/information-tips/waiting-the-key-to-supporting-your-childs-communication
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    24 m
  • 6: Sparking Conversation in the Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child

    6: Sparking Conversation in the Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child
    Dec 16 2025
    Welcome to The Sound Steps Podcast: Conversations in Auditory-Verbal Therapy, exploring fluent spoken language development, conversational competence, clear speech, and age-appropriate development, in children who are deaf or hard of hearing, through the transformative power of listening and parent-centred Auditory-Verbal Therapy, one sound step at a time Conversation is at the heart of human connection, spontaneous, unplanned, and deeply nurturing. In this sixth episode, Shefali Shah invites us to introspect on what truly constitutes a heart-to-heart conversation with your child with hearing loss, not just chatter, but a reciprocal, emotional and verbal exchange. In warm and candid dialogue with two mothers of children with cochlear implants, Sheena Kurian and Ratnaa Binu, coached by Shefali Shah, discover how to stay spontaneous and suspend correction. Together they explore how to reshape their style of interaction with their young child with hearing loss, as they experience first-hand the thrill of creating space for natural spoken language development and communication to emerge and flourish. They unravel how techniques in Auditory-Verbal Therapy such as Modelling and Waiting not only support spoken language development , but also nurture the very soul of conversation, shared attention, trust, and joy. This episode offers practical insights and celebrates those precious moments of connection with your child with hearing loss that arise beyond expectation. This is The Sound Steps Podcast. 🎯 Top Tips from Episode 6 Conversation is a spontaneous heart-to-heart exchange.The topic emerges naturally, and the flow is kept alive as long as both partners remain engaged. Keep the conversation going.Corrections and interruptions disrupt the rhythm and may silence a child’s attempt to contribute. Use Modelling to guide gently.Modelling allows you to enrich your child’s language without breaking conversational flow. Conversation is not a lesson.Stay spontaneous. You’re not testing your child - you’re partnering with them. Listen for communicative intent.Respond with reassurance. It’s the intent to connect that fuels language growth. Waiting gives space for thought and expression.Wait intentionally. Your child needs time to process, feel, and contribute meaningfully. Suspend judgement.Approach every exchange as an equal partner; not a disruptor. Experience the unexpected!True conversation invites surprises. Enjoy where your child leads you. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Introduction to this episode 00:00:05 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents 00:00:21 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child 00:00:27 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification. 00:01:00 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development 00:01:17 Abundant choices open up through AVT 00:01:51 A life free of limitations 00:02:00 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps 00:02:10 Links and contact details 00:02:17 Resources on this topic 00:02:19 Auditory-Verbal Techniques 00:02:39 Auditory-Verbal Techniques: Sabotage 00:03:03 Modelling 00:03:33 Quick review of the highlights of Episode 5. 00:04:09 Introducing the topic 00:04:25 Introducing our guest in this episode: Sheena Kurian 00:04:53 Engaging your child in conversation 00:05:19 What constitutes a Conversation 00:05:43 Conversation is spontaneous 00:06:05 Content 00:06:22 Interruption and correction 00:06:39 Modelling 00:07:27 Keeping the conversation going 00:07:57 Do daily routines constitute Conversation? 00:08:06 Transactional Vs heart-to-heart exchanges 00:08:49 Conversation starters 00:09:31 Conversation is not a lesson 00:10:08 Conversations have no agenda. 00:10:28 How to stay spontaneous 00:11:13 Captivating your child’s imagination 00:12:20 Adopting an open ended style of engagement 00:13:05 Listen for intent 00:14:52 Introducing our second guest: Ratnaa Binu 00:14:28 Suspend criticism 00:15:17 Living the moment together with your child 00:18:27 Achieving the unexpected 00:19:00 Thought for reflection 00:19:47 Our next episode: The Magic of the Wait Cue 🔗 Links: 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/ 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk 📘 Resources: Estabrooks, W., Morrison, H., and MacIver-Lux, (2020). Auditory-Verbal Therapy: Science, Research and Practice, Plural Publishing.Suskind, D. (2015),Thirty Million Words: Building a Child’s Brain, Dutton. Websites: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/...
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