Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT)
Auditory-Verbal therapy is a type of intervention for children who are deaf and hard of hearing, or those who use hearing technology such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. AVT is most successful when children start at an early age. Children who receive early intervention from audiology and AVT are generally able to succeed in mainstream education.
Our team of highly trained and certified speech-language Pathologists and listening and spoken language specialists focus on teaching children with all degrees of hearing loss how to listen and speak. Our therapists work closely with your child's medical team, including ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors and audiologists to make sure we are providing the most comprehensive care possible.
Evidence-based care
When you bring your child to Cook Children's Speech Therapy, you are choosing a team that uses the most up-to-date diagnostics and treatments for children with hearing loss. The care we provide for our patients and families is based on proven data, patient experience and medical expertise.
Family-centered care
We know that having a child with hearing loss affects the whole family. Our speech-language pathologists and listening and spoken language specialists will work with you and your child with a hands-on approach to develop a plan and meet your goals. We include your family in every part of your child's therapy, teach you how to use therapy techniques. Parents and caregivers actively participate in the therapy sessions and continue the activities at home.
What to expect
At Cook Children's we know that therapy is a big commitment for you and your family. From the very beginning, we will work with you to develop a treatment plan that best fits the needs of your child and family. As your child's needs change, our therapists will adjust the treatment plan. We are determined to get your child and family back to everyday life as quickly as possible.
Frequently asked questions
AVT is a family-centered approach to intervention for children with hearing loss. The therapist guides and coaches the family to help incorporate listening and spoken language activities into their daily routines. Both AVT and speech therapy focus on developing speech and language skills. However, AVT highlights listening during natural interactions to help develop these skills and minimizes the use of visual cues.
AVT is most successful when children start early, even as young as 2-3 months old. Early intervention is needed to help develop the listening and spoken language skills children need to participate in their natural environments. Research shows that the earlier AVT is started, the better the outcomes for listening and spoken language development.
Our therapists are experienced in working with families from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. It is important for your child to learn to speak the language that is heard most often in the home setting. The strategies that we focus on in therapy can be carried over to other languages. Therapists and families work together to develop a plan of care that best meets the child's needs.
Parents and caregivers actively participate in session and continue the activities at home. Our therapists support and coach parents and caregivers using strategies that focus on developing listening and speaking language. Therapy sessions utilize play-based activities which can be used in daily routines in the home setting.
We're here to help
If your child has been recommended to us, you probably have questions. We can help. If you would like to schedule an appointment, refer a patient or speak to our staff, please call our offices at 682-885-4063.