Read the case study and discuss the following questions in your small group.

Decide what you would do and make a list of the steps you would follow based on what you have read,

and has been discussed to support Parker and his parents, the teachers in the school and other children.

Case Study:

A friend encouraged Mrs. Howard to take her son to the developmental screening cling being held at the community recreation center. Parker was nearly two years old and spoke only a few words that were understandable. Because he spent most of his days with his grandmother while his mother worked at the local hospital, Parker had few opportunities to play with other children his age. The developmental screening team checked his height, weight, vision, hearing, speech, cognitive abilities, and motor skills. The team leader noted that Mrs. Howard indicated on the history intake form that Parker had several food allergies and frequent upper respiratory and ear infections. His hearing tests revealed a significant loss in one ear and a moderate loss in the other.

Questions to Consider:

Is Parker’s speech development appropriate for his age? How do you know?

What significance do Parker’s ear infections have to his hearing loss?

Should the screening team’s recommendation for Parker include a referral to his physician? Why?

What strategies can Parker’s mother and others use to improve his communication skills?

What things can Parker’s mother do to encourage his speech development?

What can teachers do to encourage and support Parker’s speech development?

What about development in other areas affected by his hearing loss?

(Identify areas and adaptations or adjustments that could be made to the program to include Parker.)

Based on the details of the case, Parker’s speech development is not appropriate for his age. He is almost two years old and only spoke a few words that are understandable. Based on normal development, by 2 years old, most toddlers