Ask "What Did You Hear?"

Ask, "What Did You Hear?"

Definition: When a child gives an incorrect or inappropriate response, no response, or experiences a communication breakdown, the adult can ask, “what did you hear?” to prompt the child to give back the part of the message that was heard and attempt to repair the breakdown. Definition taken from Sherri Fickenscher & Dan Salvucci Chapter 7 – Listening And SpokenLanguage Strategies

EXAMPLE:

Therapist: “Can you find the train?”

Child: “Hmmmm….Ummmm….”

Therapist: “What did you hear?”

Child: “Rain? I don’t see rain?”

Therapist: “Opps! I said /t/ train!”

Explanation:

This one is so important to make sure you incorporate. Not only will it help you correct the child with the right vocabulary and clear up confusion, but it can tell you a lot about what sounds the child is missing. Are they in the initial position? Middle? End? Is it being consistently missed? It can also tell you if the child needs a new mapping or need to get their hearing aids adjusted. When you see a child is confused, or gets answers consistently wrong due it he/she mishearing, make sure you are documenting that so that you can take the appropriate steps to work on it or get their devices fixed!