Holi was born in 2018 and her family were initially told that she was hearing, but after a long and complex journey, she was finally diagnosed as bilaterally profoundly deaf in March 2021, aged two years and 8 months. A few months later she received her cochlear implants.

Her Mum Kate explained: “Learning to adapt to sound and wearing cochlear implants was far from easy for Holi. It took a lot of hard work, patience and persistence. In 2022, Holi was also diagnosed as neurodivergent, with developmental needs which added another layer and more complications to her habilitation journey.

“We found out about Auditory Verbal therapy in September 2021, and, after an initial appointment, knew that the programme, and in particular the holistic support from the team at Auditory Verbal UK, would not only be of great benefit to Holi but also us as a family.

“When we joined in winter 2021 Holi was pre-verbal and developmentally delayed, but with no previous experience of deafness we knew this was the right course of action for us and we were determined to give her every opportunity to develop language and communication and thrive.”

Almost four years later Holi graduated from the Auditory Verbal therapy programme at AVUK, aged six, speaking in sentences and with a huge new confidence in engaging with others and expressing herself.

Kate said: “It has been a long and tough road to get to this point and Holi’s journey continues. Her additional needs impact her concentration and mood and every step forward has been hard-earned. But she’s making progress in her own right and we are delighted that she has now started in Year 2 at Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children.

“I cannot thank the team at AVUK enough. Her therapist has been so dedicated and adapted all of the sessions to ensure Holi felt happy and supported. He always understood her complex needs in addition to her hearing loss, and he knew exactly how to earn her trust, engage and get the very best out of her.

“Alongside this, the family support team has provided me and my family with extensive help and support – answering all my questions, big and small. Through parental sessions I’ve also met other families with deaf children which has and remains a huge support to me, and for Holi to play with other deaf children is wonderful to see.

“I’ve also had the chance to attend online courses including the Nurturing Programme which supports parents and children’s emotional health and was tailored for families with deaf children by AVUK and the National Deaf Children’s Society.

“Holi uses both spoken language and sign language to communicate, and Auditory Verbal therapy, and especially the team at Auditory Verbal UK, has supported her to go from a child unable to explain herself and communicate, to the cheeky, chatty little star she is now.”

Kate – Holi’s Mum