Auditory Verbal Therapy: Guide

AV Programme for families

Auditory Verbal therapy sessions are typically one hour and are attended fortnightly.  They include the primary caregivers, the child and the practitioner.  Every session is play based and highly functional in order to be integrated into the family's everyday routine.  The aim for each session is for the child to have fun whilst caregivers learn strategies to maximise their child’s language skills in everyday activities.  Sessions can be delivered face to face or via telepractice.  

In March 2020, following the social restrictions imposed due to the global pandemic, families at AVUK received therapy via telepractice online.  An audit of their experiences with telepractice found that approximately 80% of parents felt their child was making good progress with telepractice sessions, while 89% of therapists felt that telepractice sessions were equally or more effective than in-person sessions⁶⁰. Additionally, 85% of parents opted to continue with their Auditory Verbal sessions solely via telepractice or a blend of telepractice and in-person sessions⁶⁰. With appropriate technology, telepractice is a viable means of providing Auditory Verbal Therapy⁶¹.

Auditory Verbal UK provides a programme for families throughout the UK. This includes a tele practice programme.

 The Manchester Paediatric Hearing Implant Centre, the West of England Hearing Implant Programme, and the Oxford Auditory Implant Centre each offer a series of habilitation appointments following surgery. These centres provide a range of habilitation options tailored to the individual needs of each child and their family. The Manchester team includes four Certified Auditory Verbal Therapists, while the West of England and Oxford centres each have two Certified Auditory Verbal Therapists on their habilitation teams.   

There are other ways to access Auditory Verbal therapy through some local services or through private means.  You can find a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS) through the AG Bell Association for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing.