Page 23 - 2024 August Report

WEINGARTEN CHILDREN’S CENTER REPORT (6)
We are pleased that this study was recently extended for two more years. Outcomes from various validated measurements including the Pre-Language Scores Assessment (PLS) as well as the Access Challenge Index – a novel measure of educational environment and family support based on the Child Cochlear Implant Profile – is currently in multivariate and univariate analysis.
BabyTalk continues to serve a substantial number of families, particularly families who would not otherwise receive early and intensive language interventions critical to children acquiring listening and spoken language. BabyTalk outreach efforts also identify and attract families to our other lines of service. We are continually reminded that the vast majority of families of babies who are deaf or hard of hearing are not aware that their children can acquire language or of the need to start early.
Talk2MeTM Update:
MVPL. Following product trials of selected lessons and incorporation of improvements suggested by users, principally addition of more video clips illustrating the lessons, we introduced a minimum viable product line (MVPL) of 63 lessons in the second calendar quarter. The lessons cover topics for the first steps of families’ hearing journey, targeting infants and toddlers newly receiving access to sound. The MVPL covers all six domains of listening and spoken language, listening, receptive language, expressive language, speech, cognition and pragmatics.
Help Desk. We implemented a Help Desk to provide onboarding, guidance, and support for families directly and Early Start coaches serving them. As we observe users’ progress through a series of lessons and across multiple domains, we are focusing on ensuring families receive the support they require. We are also developing best practices and looking for ways we can improve our processes and delivery of Talk2MeTM
User Interface. We have identified potential for providing families graphical perspective of their progress and other ways to encourage them to progress through lessons with support as needed. We are working with several Board members with experience in education and technology, along with outside volunteer advisors to evaluate and improve Talk2MeTM features including user feedback and rewards, coach tracking of users’ progress, and characteristics of users and coaches most successful with the app.
Benefits to Early Start Service Providers. Several Early Start service providers tasked under IDEA to provide home visits to children with designated disabilities (which include hearing loss) have told us that Talk2MeTM can meet their need for curriculum to teach listening and spoken language to these children who need intensive, early, specialized interventions. In addition to support for families and Early Start service providers from the Talk2MeTM Help Desk, Talk2MeTM assists providers in preparing required reports on each child’s progress.
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Education / A Powerful force for change Page 21