Khush Gopal

My name is Khush and like my sister Dhyana, I was born profoundly deaf. Having had the most positive outcomes with Dhyana through Auditory Verbal UK’s (AVUK) Auditory Verbal therapy programme, my parents did not hesitate to contact AVUK again after my diagnosis was confirmed - thus starting a new journey at AVUK with me. Auditory Verbal (AV) therapy was an integral part of developing my listening and spoken language and skills. This was reinforced outside my therapy sessions by the invaluable training provided to my parents and the professionals working with me - including my schoolteachers, local teachers of the deaf and speech and language therapists. With such a comprehensive package in place, I was able to graduate from AVUK at the age of 3, with listening and language skills of a 5-year-old. AV therapy and AVUK have transformed my life in many ways.

AV therapy is incredible – it has given me the platform to stand side by side with my fellow peers, in a world where my disability would have otherwise rendered me unable to perform at the same level - let alone excel. Thanks to AVUK’s early intervention, I attended a mainstream primary school where I took part in all activities, including nativity plays and residential trips. Importantly AV therapy allows me to socialise both in and out of school - forming valuable friendships. I am now at a mainstream grammar school studying for my GCSES, fully involved in all aspects of school life, from school trips to leading assemblies and being a part of sport teams. Based on my academic merit, I was recently selected by my school as one of 15 Year 10 pupils to attend an Open Day at Queen’s College, Cambridge University – a phenomenal experience.

I have taken on roles such as sports captain, earned house colours and received multiple awards for cricket, academics and other school challenges. Currently, I am completing my Silver DofE, with Bronze already under my belt, and have chosen to do the 6-month volunteering component of this with AVUK.

I enjoy sports, especially tennis, cricket, football and table tennis, and play competitively for both my school and club. I support Manchester United, and there’s nothing quite like hearing the roar of the Stretford End at Old Trafford! I’m a Grade 4 pianist and my other hobbies include going to the gym, building Lego, reading, and playing video games!

At my school I have spoken in assembly about deafness and raised money for AVUK by having a Loud Shirt Day. I have also introduced important speakers at AVUK conventions like the Early Intervention Conference: Getting it right 0-5 years in 2017. In the same year, I took part in a film for the Centre of Social Justice, who awarded Auditory Verbal UK the Model of Excellence Award. Consistently, I have featured in general promotional videos to create awareness of AVUK, as well as specific videos for Loud Shirt Day, Christmas and campaigns like ‘Hear Us Now’. In 2022, as an AVUK Power of Speech winner I attended an event at the Houses of Parliament where I read out the award-winning story I had written: “The Sorcerer’s Ruby”.  Furthermore, in 2023, I worked in collaboration with the Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho on the Radio 4 Appeal with the BBC, which raised more than £30,000 for AVUK. You can find more about this here. In 2024, I met the Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel De Souza, and shared my experiences with her, showcasing the impact of AVUK’s support.

I am proud to be a Young Ambassador for AVUK. The support of their AV therapy has given me incredible listening and speaking skills, and I would like other deaf children to receive this life-changing therapy, so they can have the best chance to reach their potential.