Early Intervention Illustrated: Tape Two, The Art and Science of Home Visits (2004). Seaver Creative Services, Inc. 4135 South Oneida Street, Denver, CO 80237. 17 minutes; $24.95, plus $5.95 s/h. Reviewed by Stephanie E. Sweeton, The Learning Center for Deaf Children, Randolph, MA.
This video is a wonderful step-by-step guide to doing an effective home visit with families who have a child who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. It provides the specific components that must be involved in each home visit in order to promote a strong collaborative relationship between early intervention specialist and the family, as well as the continued development of the child"s communication and language skills.
Designated as Part Two in a video series on early intervention, this tape further expands on the home visit, allowing time to explore each part from beginning to end and detailing the various roles the professional plays during the visit. Each step is thoroughly examined, reviewed, and illustrated by a videotaped example that gives the viewer an opportunity to see the theory in action. This tape also provides gentle, but consistent, reminders about the goals of therapy and how to achieve them. The only area missing was an example of an early intervention specialist who is Deaf working with these babies, which could be used as a means of further exploring how native language users can impact the development of communication with a baby who is Deaf or hard-of-hearing.
One way this video achieves its goals is through its high quality production techniques, such as the inventive use of graphics to explain the "tool kit" that a therapist must draw from in order to be an effective facilitator, guide, and teacher in the home visit process.
"The Art and Science of Home Visits," can be utilized to expose professionals with all varieties of backgrounds to the necessary components of a home visit with a family of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. It allows new professionals to see the process in action and experienced professionals to review techniques specific to this population. This is an exciting videotape to watch – it gives the therapist a roadmap to follow in helping a family through a time that can be trying but also thrilling. This video is highly recommended for any professional working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing – it provides solid techniques along with a reminder that the human side of doing home visits is just as important as the science.
"This video should be mandatory viewing for all EI specialists working with families of children with hearing loss. It provides a step-by-step roadmap to working in a way that is meaningful and naturalistic - a wonderful addition to the field!" - Stephanie E. Sweeton, M.S. CCC-SLP