Activity Description

This course covers ten fundamental principles that underlie cochlear implant rehabilitation in children.  Characteristics of the two paths of auditory learning: didactic and incidental, will be reviewed.  Factors shown to influence communication development including age at implantation and features of the child’s educational environment will be described.

Activity Audience

This course is for Speech-Language Pathologists.

Learning Outcomes

Participants who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Identify the two paths of auditory learning available to pediatric cochlear implant recipients.
• Discuss three reasons that early age at cochlear implantation is more likely than late age implantation to produce higher outcomes in children.
• Describe three “thinking while listening” activities appropriate for use in therapy with children wearing cochlear implants.

Host Requirements

1. Have a minimum of five participants.
2. Schedule your DVDs for Groups with LinguiSystems a minimum of 30 days prior to your in-service.  LinguiSystems is unable to accept late registrations.

Materials Provided

1. FREE Pediatric Cochlear Implant Therapy DVD
2. Downloadable course handout
3. ASHA paperwork for those who wish to receive FREE ASHA CEUs
   • Attendance Roster
   • Course Evaluation form
   • Self-Assessment of Learning
   • ASHA CEU Participant Form
4. Completion certificate for all participants

Author Biography

Amy McConkey Robbins, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist working in private practice in Indianapolis.  She specializes in working with children with hearing loss wearing cochlear implants or hearing aids, and children with language-based academic difficulties.  Through her practice, Communication Consulting Services, Amy provides speech, auditory and language therapy; consults with school districts; and leads workshops nationally and internationally.

Amy is the author or co-author of several widely-used assessment procedures, including the Mr. Potato Head Task, Common Phrases Test, MAIS, and IT-MAIS.  An adjunct assistant professor at Vanderbilt University, she has published over 75 journal articles and book chapters under topics such as communication assessment, therapy techniques, and language development.

Amy is a frequent speaker on topics in her field as well as vocational renewal for people serving professions.

LinguiSystems, Inc. funded this presentation, Pediatric Cochlear Implant Therapy, in its entirety.