Social Groups for Kids with Hearing Loss

1. Social Groups for Kids with Hearing Loss Amy Melick, Ph.D. Psychologist for the CI Program Seattle Children’s Hospital amy.melick@seattlechildrens.org

2. Types of Groups • Counseling/Therapy Groups • Skill Development Groups • Support Groups • Social Groups

3. Participants • Kids with hearing loss who communicate primarily using spoken English • Kids in the appropriate age grouping (Preschool, Early Elementary, Older Elementary, Middle School, or High School)

4. Goals of Group • Have fun • Connect with other kids • Develop friendships • Share experiences • Learn from others

5. Format of Group • Gather • Check-in • Introduce topic • Discussion • Play game • Eat snack or meal • Review topic • Wrap Up

6. Topics-the ABCS of HL • Acceptance • Advocacy • Affect • Anticipation • Audiology • Balancing • Bluffing • Chances • Clarifying • Communication • Confidence • Siblings • Social

7. Activities or Games • Role playing • Minute to Win It games • Collages • Board Games • Guest Speakers • Biblio-therapy • Make a book or cartoon

9. Potential Benefits -Feel valued, listened to, and understood -Feel a sense of belonging -Increase sense of self-acceptance -Develop advocacy/coping skills -Make new friends -Know they are not the only one

10. Thanks

11. Notes