We Did It! And We’re Hitting the Road!
Dear friends and followers,
Guided by my intimate interviews with sixteen families across the United States, I have carefully woven together a one-of-a-kind collection of true stories that illustrate what happens when hearing loss is identified later in childhood, outside of newborn hearing screening. Such as when newborn screening safeguards fail or hearing loss develops later. Or when risk factors are overlooked, parent concerns are dismissed, and pediatric audiology services are difficult to access.
This collection offers validation, compassion, and hope to families navigating the difficult journey of late-identification. Undergraduate and graduate programs will find valuable case studies for group discussions, and EHDI programs and stakeholders can explore new, effective, and expanded early childhood hearing health monitoring and surveillance.
The Abbott Family is hitting the road starting June 27 to meet several of the families I interviewed face-to-face and thank them for their participation in this project!
Follow our Late to the Party: Abbott Family Roadtrip on Facebook and Instagram!
Check out our Events Calendar and Join Us somewhere in the continental U.S.A.!
Order your copy of Late to the Party from Supporting Success for Children with Hearing Loss, and don’t forget to post a review online (Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, etc.)
It’s been a year-long endeavor. Thank you for your support, enthusiasm, and desire to make the future bright for all children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They all deserve to be identified, connected quickly to options and services, and celebrated for who they are early.
Your partner in advocacy,
Valerie James Abbott
