WAFDC Butterflies

Butterflies

side n I t's Wha

Issue 1 May 2020

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT Meet Beau's family and learn about their journey with hearing loss

Meet Them We interviewed Daniela the Teacher of the Deaf, Carl the Audiologist and Annie the camp attendee to find out what drives them

App Recommendation

by Josie p12

Service Information for parents inside p3

KID'S CORNER Check out the fun things to do and our colouring in competition!

MAY 2020 | ISSUE 1

LETTER FROM WAFDC WELCOME TO BUTTERFLIES Butterflies Australian

is

the

new

Foundation

Children's newsletter.

official

West

for

Deaf

It will feature

relevant information, stories, services, activities and support collated for the families with deaf and hard of hearing children in Western Australia.

WHAT'S HAPPENING Currently, the WAFDC is working hard to continue providing support to our families. Due to current circumstance we are forced to deliver some of these events virtually. We don't want our families to miss out on vital connections and support they would usually get at our social events and information workshops. We hope we can find ways to support you in different ways.

One of our first online initiatives is for families to connect with other families via our private Facebook page. It is hoped that this will be a virtual place families can share positive and practical support with each other as we all face changing and challenging times now and in the future.

As we learn to support you differently we would love to get your feedback too at community @wafdc.org.au

The Team at WA Foundation for Deaf Children

FOR PARENTS NDIS Services Midlas

Mission Australia

Contact number: (08) 9250 9123 Email: admin@midlas.org.au Free Services: Disability Advocacy (NDIS appeals,

Contact number: 1800 370 776 Email: ndisengagementwa@missionaustralia.com.au Services: Local Area Coordinators are still available over the

access, and general disability advocacy), Disability

phone or by video conference during business hours to:

Discrimination Law, Family Law, Property Law, Tenancy

Assist in accessing the NDIS

Support, and Financial Counselling

Conduct NDIS Planning meetings with participants and their

support networks

Currently all meetings are via telephone and can be

Assist participants to implement and monitor their NDIS plan

booked between 9.00am - 3.00pm.

Connect members of the community to mainstream and

community services

We also provide emergency relief: People in City of Swan can apply for a food hamper, delivered to their door by

If a participant requires a face-to-face meeting, they should

filling in a simple online form

contact their LAC to ensure all relevant health measures are in

https://www.midlas.org.au/services/isolationpacks/

place and guidelines can be adhered to.

For daily updates on how the NDIS is responding to the

Wanslea Early Childhood Early Intervention

Coronavirus situation, please visit:

Contact number: 1300 969 645 Email: ndis@wanslea.asn.au Services: Wanslea is the National Disability Insurance

https://www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus

Agency (NDIA) partner that delivers Early Childhood Early

1 0

Intervention supports for children aged 0-6.

U N C E R T A I N

Times/appointments or links to services online:

https://www.wanslea.asn.au/children-andfamily/early-intervention-ecei/

Other Services Perth Children's Hospital

T I P S

1.

F O R

T I M E S

Reassure your children that your family are your top priority

2. Maintain everyday family routines

Key Contact Person: Kristy Tomlinson, Statewide Coordinator

3. Have a family plan of action

(08) 6456 5655

email: Kristy.Tomlinson@health.wa.gov.au Services: Newborn Hearing Screening Opening hours 8.00am - 4.00pm Monday - Friday

4. Take notice of behaviour you like 5. Make sure your child knows you are ready to talk 6. Be truthful in answering your children's questions 7. Have plenty of interesting things to do at home 8. Help children learn to tolerate more uncertainty 9. Take care of yourself as best you can 10. Reach out and connect with loved ones

Tips courtesy of Positive Parenting program https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au-uken/triple-p/

FOR PARENTS Hearing Australia Hearing Australia remains open to support our clients during this challenging time. We’ve made some changes to the way we provide services, to ensure the health and safety of clients and staff, and to offer flexibility in the way families access our care.

Undertaking as many activities as possible by phone or video calls to reduce the amount of time families need to spend in face to face appointments

Audiologists will contact families prior to scheduled appointments to review child’s history and answer questions from the family

When families are unable to attend in person a home visit will be considered for activities such as earmould impressions

Families can access repairs and batteries by post. Replacement parts for cochlear implant sound processors can be obtained via our online request form at www.hearing.com.au/cochlear-replacement or by phoning 1800 131 339

Children who are diagnosed with a hearing loss or who are at risk for permanent hearing loss will be seen as a priority and at no cost, through our Community Service Obligation program.

· Where the child is unlikely to need hearing aids but requires a hearing check for other reasons, we can offer the options of advice about other funded services, screening via the free Sound Scouts app for children aged 4 – 12 years, or an appointment with one of our audiologists on a Fee-for-Service basis.

Some hospital clinics have advised us of changes to elective surgery and have asked if we are able to fit hearing aids as a temporary measure, for children who are on a waiting list for grommets or other surgery.

We do offer hearing aid fitting (usually bone conduction aids) as a management option for children who have had an ongoing conductive hearing loss for three months, and when that loss is expected to continue for at least six months. Please contact your local hearing centre to discuss individual clients.

You can find more information about how we’re responding to the COVID-19 situation on our website at

www.hearing.com.au/FAQ-2020

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT BEAU'S FAMILY

"Your life may have to take a slightly different path to the one that you had imagined, and there may be a few more bumps along the way, but you will still be able to share in many positive experiences and your child will still have the same life opportunities."

About our Family Our family consists of Dad (Richard – 46yrs), Mum (Amanda – (47yrs), daughter (Jamila – 11yrs), son (Beau – 6yrs) and dog (Roxy). We all live together in Shenton Park. Jamila is in year 6 and Beau is in year 1. We own and run our own family business called Gateway Printing in Willetton. Both sets of Grandparents live in Perth and they love to spend time with the family. We enjoy spending time together and especially love to participate in outdoor activities on the weekends like going for a bike ride, visiting parks, the beach and community

Beau also has left sided facial palsy due to absent or very small facial nerves and has trouble with his balance and coordination due to ataxic cerebral palsy and sensory processing issues. He is unable to walk by himself, but loves to get around in his “orange” walker. We were told that Beau would most likely never be able to hear due to the absence of his auditory nerves so we started teaching him sign language from a baby.

Beau was implanted with a cochlear implant on his left side when he was 12 months old and his

events.

right side when he was 18 months old. Both of

Beau

Beau access to hearing, although Beau mainly

these implants were successful and have given uses sign language to communicate. Beau is a happy, cheeky and energetic child with a great

Beau was born with sensorineural profound

sense of humour and despite all of his challenges

hearing loss bilaterally. We did not know about his

enjoys life to the full and loves to be a part of

hearing loss until he was 5 days old when it was

everything that his big sister, friends and family

revealed on an MRI scan that he had absent or

are doing. He has amazing resilience and

very small auditory nerves.

perseverance and inspires us every day.

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT BEAU'S FAMILY

WAFDC

Hearing Loss

We have been involved with the WA Foundation

I think the most positive thing that I could say to a

for Deaf Children since Beau was a baby. This has

family who has a newly diagnosed child with

provided us with a wonderful network and

hearing loss is that it is not a tragedy, but an

opportunity to meet other families sharing similar

opportunity to grow, empower, adapt and come

journeys and experiences. We thoroughly look

together as a family. Your life may have to take a

forward to attending the events and catching up

slightly different path to the one that you had

with some of the other families as well as getting

imagined, and there may be a few more bumps

to participate in new experiences.

along the way, but you will still be able to share in many positive experiences and your child will still

Landsdale Family Campout

have the same life opportunities. Surround

The Family Campout at Landsdale was a fantastic

navigate your way. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for

bonding experience for us as a family, giving us

help and know that although it all seems daunting

the chance to spend quality time together away

at the beginning that it does get easier.

from all the daily hustle and bustle. It provided a wonderful opportunity to meet and share experiences and stories with other families of Deaf or hard of hearing children. It bought us a lot of joy to see the children being able to come together regardless of the age or ability and participate in all the fantastic experiences that the farm had to offer as well as the great activities that the WAFDC had organised. Having the interpreters available was brilliant and we loved being able to practice our own signing and boosting our confidence to communicate in Auslan.

yourself with positive people, reach out to as many networks and services available to you as you can and educate yourself and ask questions as knowledge gives you much more confidence to

Covid-19 Although it us been very challenging for us as it has for many other families, we have tried to use this time as a positive experience. We have seen the bond between Jamila and Beau grow even more, spending this time together and getting to know each other even better. I have enjoyed being involved with the home schooling and it has been great to see Beau make some positive improvements with his learning and communication. We have had to make a number of changes to our business to continue operating which has been very stressful, but overall, we have managed to adapt to this “new normal�.

"Surround yourself with positive people, reach out to as many networks and services available to you as you can and educate yourself and ask questions as knowledge gives you much more confidence to navigate your way."

- Amanda, Beau's Mum

Meet Them

We spoke to a Teacher of the Deaf, an Audiologist and one of our wonderful camp attendees to find out what drives them.

DANIELA FRASER Teacher of the Deaf (TOD)

Tell us more about what you do in your role I absolutely love my role as TOD. I'm currently working for SSEN:S in the Lighthouse Littlies Program which

What inspired you to become a TOD?

caters for students aged 3- 4 years.

Students have varying degrees of

My path to becoming a TOD was not very

hearing loss and our aim within the

straightforward! Firstly, I received my

program is to focus on the whole

Psychology degree and then decided to

child and build up their skills and

study Forensic Science. Upon finishing

knowledge for self identity, well

my study I moved to Scotland but

being and becoming effective

decided to travel and ended up

communicators. My role also extends

volunteering in a school in Kenya for 3

to Individual sessions with the child

months. I loved teaching so much that I

and a family member where I offer

came back home and went back to study

specialised support to them

Teaching. My passion for teaching deaf

in areas they feel they need it most

children comes from my personal

in order to best support the child's

affiliation within the deaf community. I

development not only within the

am a SODA (Sibling Of a Deaf Adult) -

school environment but also at home

my older Brother is Profoundly deaf and

too.

therefore I have grown up in a signing family.

What is the difference between an Education Assistant and a TOD? As a Teacher I am responsible for the planning and implementation of the curriculum and outcomes and the day to day running of the classroom. Our Education Assistants are like superheroes that help ensure the smooth transitions throughout the day within the classroom. They work so hard to have all the materials,

What is rewarding about your job?

I love going into work and not knowing how it will turn out. Each day is so different as are each of my students.

Their innocence and joy really does warm my heart. It's especially nice when students put into practice what has been taught and to see the smiles on their faces.

What books do you love to read?

activities and classroom in order ready for each day. They also work

Normally I read True crime or fiction but

extremely hard to support our

I'm also a hopeless romantic so enjoy a

students within the group

good romance novel. However, I'm

environment. We are very lucky to

currently pregnant with my first baby so

have EA's supporting our Teachers in

I am reading lots of baby books to help

the classroom.

prepare me for when baby arrives

What do the students look forward to when working with you?

CARL CHASE Audiologist

To be honest, I think we provide such a safe and welcoming environment within the classroom that the

How long have you been in this field for?

students are excited to come to school because they have fun and

I started my Audiology career as a

get to see their friends who also

student in 2002 and have worked full

have hearing aids, CI's or use

time in the field for over 17 years.

Auslan. They are excited to be in an

Since my first role as an Audiologist

environment where everyone is the

for a small private company in 2004 I

same. They especially love when they

have worked in a variety of settings

get to play outside and take turns

covering most areas of practice but

using the bikes and trucks.

always with an emphasis on paediatric audiology.

What is your favourite part of the job?

That's easy, at work I am never as happy as I am when I am in the booth solving problems with our patients and their families, particularly our hearing implant recipients. The challenges of working with a diverse paediatric caseload keeps me on my toes and I find it extremely humbling to be even a small part of the long journey families face from the diagnosis of a hearing loss through to receiving hearing aids, undergoing surgery to receive hearing implants and finally helping the kids through their rehabilitation and seeing them achieve their full potential.

What inspired your career in audiology?

Audiology requires Masters-level training at an entry level and my undergraduate degree included elements of human biology, neuroscience, psychology and computer science. As my time as an undergraduate came to a close, I looked at various options to further my studies including psychology, forensic science and then finally came across Audiology. I felt it contained everything I was looking for in a career including the application of new technology to an applied health setting so for me it was the perfect combination of all my

With so much equipment available today, do you find it hard to keep up with technology?

Audiology is a very equipment heavy

academic interests. I am yet to regret this choice.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

profession and technology is constantly changing, often for the better (but not

I have always enjoyed cycling and

always). We have frequent vendor

running but more recently have taken

training sessions and are required by

up bouldering or indoor rock climbing

our professional body to maintain a

which I was enjoying immensely

high standard of clinical practice

before our current worldwide

which includes intimately knowing each

situation forced the climbing gym (as

piece of equipment and software we

well as many other indoor

use on a daily basis. Embracing new

recreational facilities) to close

technology is part of the job and can

temporarily. I am looking forward to

only serve to improve our clinical care

the day we can get back to normal

of patients and families.

and I can climb again.

When reading an audiogram, can you tell us what hearing levels mean?

There are several different decibel scales used by Audiologists. On the audiogram, we use decibel hearinglevel (dBHL). This means that 0dB is

Audiograms are essentially a graph of

referenced to the softest sound a

the softest sound a person can hear

person can hear at each pitch with

at each frequency or pitch (expressed

normal hearing. Essentially, the further

in cycles per second, hertz or Hz).

down the audiogram a hearing threshold

From left to right is information about

is marked, the worse a persons hearing

the frequency of sound from low pitch

is at that pitch. We generally classify

(left) to high pitch (right). An

hearing loss according to the decibel

example of a low-pitched sound

range a persons hearing threshold falls

might be a dog barking or a car

within: -10-20dB is classified as normal

engine running. In terms of speech,

hearing; 20-40dB is a mild hearing loss;

low pitches tend to be vowel sounds

40-70dB is a moderate hearing loss; 70-

such as "aaa" or "ooo". Examples

90dB is a severe hearing loss and 90-

high-pitched sounds might be crickets

120dB is classified as a profound

chirping, a smoke alarm or a whistle.

hearing loss.

High-pitch sounds provide the meaning and clarity to speech including the start and end of words,

What is most important in keeping hearing equipment?

"sss" & "sh" sounds. Without these high pitches, other people may sound

The daily checking of equipment is

as if they are mumbling. Along the

essential, especially for

vertical axis of an audiogram is sound

parents/caregivers checking the

level expressed in decibels (dB) from

hearing aids, implant sound processors

-10dB at the top to 120dB at the

or FM systems of young children who are

bottom.

unable to report problems as they occur. It is important that hearing aids are checked for working batteries and blocked tubing each time they are used.

It is also important that the output of hearing aids and the microphones of cochlear implant sound processors are coupled to the parent's own ear and checked for degradation in sound or intermittent function each day. If you have a good idea of what a device should sound like when it is functioning properly (through regular listening checks) then you will better be able to identify a problem when it occurs. The output of cochlear implant signals can be checked using sound processor test devices, remote assistants or, in some cases, Apps to help identify when a coil or coil cable requires changing.

Microphone covers should also be checked and routinely replaced (at least every 3 months) to ensure the auditory signal is as clear as can be.

ANNIE WAFDC Deaf Strengths Camp Attendee

You have attended 3 camps now with the WAFDC, How have you found each of these camps? Which one was your favourite?

I absolutely loved every single camp I’ve been on. Every camp taught me something valuable, and most importantly I had so much fun. The first camp I went on I’ll be honest I

What inspires you to come back to every camp?

don’t remember much, as it was three years ago. Although I remember

It’s mostly a mixture of things. One of

seeing everyone and being extremely

the main reasons is getting to push

scared, thinking ‘what if people think

myself, around people who share

I’m weird’ or ‘what if no one likes me’,

similar life complications. I tend to

‘what if I can’t do any of the

open up around people I feel

activities or ‘maybe the volunteers

comfortable with, I don’t know how

will hate me’. I can definitely say that

anyone wouldn’t feel comfortable on

all of those thoughts washed away,

this camp. Another reason is to speak

after not even a day in the camp. If

and bond with people, everyone on

anyone who wants to go on this

this camp are the nicest human

camp, and has nerves I would

beings. When you start this camp, you

definitely tell them that they have

can just let go of reality and just

absolutely nothing to worry about.

simply have fun, with people around

and they’ll have the best three days!

your age, its technically a fresh start

the only thing I didn’t like about any

for few days. I also love seeing

of these camps were that they didn’t

everyone sign, I’m not a signer

go for longer. For me personally my

although I really wish I had the talent

favourite camp was number 3.

to, I find it really interesting and

Despite loving every single camp,

amazing that we can communicate

camp number three made me the

through hand signals. I always end up

happiest and most excited. Camp

learning around 10 or more signs in

number threes activities were both

Auslan and I absolutely love that.

challenging but exciting, they were vast, they didn’t contain the same type of activity. We did water

What is your favourite activity that you have done at camp?

activities, riding activities and rope climbing. The food isn’t as important

This question is really tricky to answer.

but I guess you can’t rule out food. I

I have multiple, abseiling, flying fox,

loved how every day, every meal we

bike riding, and rope thing (don’t

had something different, although I

remember the name). The abseiling

do wish there were some healthier

and flying fox is from camp number

options.

two, if I remember correctly. I rarely

Overall camp number three

was the big winner for me and

get to push myself out of my comfort

awesome to be a part of.

zone, it was pretty empowering to do so.

flying in mid-air. Rope thing was

Are you looking forward to being a “Camp Mentor”?

pretty similar to flying fox although I

Words cannot express how excited I

had to physically challenge myself, it

am! All the camps I’ve been on

hurt but it was so worth being proud

looking up to the mentors and

of myself. Bike riding even though I

wondering when I could get to be one.

wasn’t that fit, I enjoyed looking at all

Later time I can go to bed, being

the gorgeous views, I love a

looked up to as the older kids.

challenge, and it felt extremely safe

Although don’t get me wrong I am also

riding with everyone. The time I went I

pretty scared and intimidated as it

think at 5 or six was the perfect time

could be a lot to handle and I don’t

as the sun was setting.

want the younger kids to miss out on

What do you really enjoy about being on the camp?

the opportunity I had. but I think I’ll be

Also, who doesn’t like practically

Getting to socialise with people who understand me, I don’t have to

great at it

During the isolation period, what have you enjoyed doing?

introduce myself and that I’m deaf, I can presume everyone knows because

I will be truthful I did have some days

this is a deaf camp. Another thing is

were all I did was watch Netflix, but I

that I don’t have to worry that I don’t

also had a really relaxing and

have a place for my hearing aids,

enjoyable time getting to know myself

before going in the water, or I don’t

and my family without distractions. I

have to be extra kind, when asking

baked a lemon soufflé successfully

someone to repeat themselves,

might I add, my siblings and I made

because I’m immediately handed a

some macrons and I went on walks

bag to put my hearing aids in without

with my twin brother almost every

asking, if I ask someone to repeat

night. I played monopoly and baked a

themselves they make no hesitation to

sponge cake with my mum. The list

do so. I love that even the interpreters

could go on but one of my favourite

talk with you and play games. No one

things was learning new songs on

treats you like you have something

piano and vocals I love singing and

wrong and they need to take care of

this gave me the perfect opportunity

you. We just talk like normal teenagers

to learn and improve in my music

about our normal lives.

which makes me feel amazing. So,

Personally, I

don’t feel spoken down to in my life as

isolation was actually really enjoyable

I’m surrounded by amazing people but

for me. but I do know others

I do understand that lots of hard of

perspectives on quarantine may differ.

hearing people experience this daily and this aspect of camp would mean a lot to them. This sounds weird to some people but I actually enjoy doing so much exercise. There is rarely a chance you get to ride a bike, run up and down the beach, stand up paddle board, do a full obstacle course all in one day. I struggled with weight and the camp number three actually kicked me in the right direction to a weightloss journey I’m still currently on.

"Every camp taught me something valuable, and most importantly I had so much fun."

APP RECOMMENDATION

BY JOSIE

WHY WE USE IT QUICK AND EFFECTIVE MEANS OF HIGHLIGHTING WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY FROM A DISTANCE OR WITHOUT ANY CONTACT (HANDY IN THIS COVID-19 CLIMATE).

LARGE PRINT WHICH MEANS ONLY YOU NEED TO TOUCH YOUR PHONE (AGAIN, A USEFUL FACTOR!).

PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HOW TO USE A KEYBOARD, FINDING LETTERS, CREATING WORDS AND MATCHING WORDS WITH EMOJIS.

FREQUENTLY USED MESSAGES CAN BE SAVED AND QUICKLY ACCESSED IF NEEDED. ITS FREE!

BUZZCARDS I discovered this app over 7 years ago. It is one of the first apps that I install, when swapping over to a new phone! This app has been developed by Sorenson, one of the leading video relay service providers in the United States. While this app was utilised to make face to face communication a breeze. For short interactions like an enquiry or ordering over the counter, this is quick and effective. Buzzcards is convenient in numerous instances: when it comes to noisy settings, or a person not realising that I am Deaf, or want an interaction more streamlined – in and out of a store.

Buzzcards isn’t only something we use when we are out and about, we quite often use it at home too. Many people have wondered, “why at home?”. Well for starters it’s a kid friendly app. I know most apps say 4+ years old, but I believe this is genuinely a safe app. I have been able to test out and then allow my children to explore with my guidance and I didn’t have to intervene.

My 6 year old uses Buzzcards to chat with his play mates, when they get stuck in conversation. He also uses it to create his own game, where he explores words and matches them with an emoji. He was so enchanted by this, that his siblings were also drawn into the game and the app. He would test out new words and the excitement when trying to find a corresponding emoji, brings joy, laughter, sometimes surprise and a huge sense of achievement. I have been quite proud of his efforts and the encouragement for literacy, independence and confidence.

KID'S CORNER THINGS TO DO! Make a fort Make an obstacle course Look for insects in your garden Go on a neighbourhood teddy bear hunt or count the chalk rainbows in your neighbourhood with an adult Write a letter or draw a picture for someone, we can even pass it onto them if you met them at an FNG event but do not have their address. Just get your mum or dad to send it to us.

Enter our colouring in competition!

AMAZING BUTTERFLY FACTS! Butterflies can't hear, but they can feel vibrations.

Butterflies taste with their feet.

Butterflies don't have lungs.

Butterflies breath through openings on their abdomen called 'spiracles'.

Butterflies smell with their antennae.

Millions of shingle like overlapping scales give butterfly wings their colour.

Butterflies are still able to fly if their scales are removed, they are just less colourful!

Butterfly Colouring In Colouring competition for any Family Group Members under the age of 12 years old Ask your mum or dad for permission first Print the butterfly picture Colour in your picture with as much colour and creativity as you like Write your first name and age anywhere on the picture Send it to us (ask for mum or dad's help) by either: taking a nice big photo of the picture or scanning the picture and emailing it to community@wafdc.org.au by 29 May

Butterflies THANK YOU FOR READING

If you would like to contribute to another issue of Butterflies please email us at community@wafdc.org.au.

West Australian Foundation For Deaf Children The West Australian Foundation for Deaf Children aims to be the change agent and central support hub that gives every deaf and hard of hearing child and their family the

If you would like to submit a recipe, tell us about the best free app, best equipment useful to you and your child or a helpful story, we would love to know about it and share it with everyone here.

knowledge, networks and confidence they need for a happy childhood along with the life skills and resilience they can carry through to the next stage of their lives.

Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wafdc/ and join our Facebook Group for Family Network Group Members https://www.facebook.com/groups/55151285 8833130/ Phone: 9385 3557 Email: admin@wafdc.org.au or community@wafdc.org.au https://wafdc.org.au/