Rose Ayling-Ellis’s BBC documentary, Signs for Change, which aired tonight (26 June), has gripped the public’s attention as it explores what it is like to be deaf in the UK.  

The documentary follows Rose on her personal journey and asks whether attitudes towards deaf people are changing. It also looks at what is needed to support deaf people so they can reach their potential and live rich and fulfilling lives, and raises awareness of what deaf children and adults can achieve with early and effective support, whether they use sign language, spoken language or both. 

“Signs for Change is a great documentary highlighting the rich diversity of deafness and exploring what it is like to grow up deaf in the UK today,” said Anita Grover, Chief Executive of AVUK. “Congratulations to Rose and everyone involved in the making of this important and timely programme.”  

The actress and Strictly Come Dancing winner visited Auditory Verbal UK as part of the documentary to find out more about supporting deaf children to learn to listen and talk with Auditory Verbal therapy.  

Rose Ayling-Ellis with Senior Auditory Verbal Therapist, Noel Kenely

Rose meets Noel Kenely, Senior Auditory Verbal Therapist at Auditory Verbal UK, who explains how Auditory Verbal therapy works supporting deaf babies and children in the crucial early years. 

Noel shows Rose videos of Lola, who was born profoundly deaf and is now 6 years old. The videos show Lola interacting and speaking with Noel during one of the families Auditory Verbal therapy sessions, delivered online.  

Lola was born deaf to hearing parents and aged one received cochlear implants. Through Auditory Verbal therapy, delivered by Auditory Verbal UK’s family programme, Lola learnt how to process the sound she received through her implants, learning to listen and develop her spoken language. Now Lola can not only speak English but is also fluent in French and learning Spanish. She is also a passionate singer and guitarist and is thriving in school. 

Rose Ayling-Ellis with Lola and mum Gina

Rose also meets 26-year-old Harrison, who was born deaf and learnt to listen and talk with Auditory Verbal therapy as a child. Harrison discussed how the early support has enabled him to have the same opportunities in life as his hearing peers. Harrison, who is a digital and marketing executive and lives in Cardiff, reflected on how he is pleased his parents sought out Auditory Verbal therapy to enable him to learn to listen and speak, and how he is excited to continue exploring his own deaf identity and Deaf culture, and help raise awareness that with early and effective support all deaf children can reach their potential. 

Rose Ayling-Ellis with Harrison who learn to listen and talk at AVUK when younger

Our vision at AVUK’s is that all deaf children should have the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers, and all deaf babies and children should have access to early and effective support whether they use sign language, spoken language or both.

Anita Grover, Chief Executive of AVUK, commented; “All children have the right to develop language and communication so that they can achieve their potential in life. Access to the language and communication environment is key to this development. For children who are born deaf, especially into hearing families with no experience of deafness, skilled early support is vital if they are to develop their language and communication skills. 

“Deaf children in the UK currently face a lifetime of disadvantage without access to skilled early support. All deaf babies and children should have access to early and effective support whether they use sign language, spoken language or both. By ensuring deaf children have access to support during those vital early years we can significantly reduce this disadvantage and transform outcomes for deaf children across the UK.”

Auditory Verbal therapy is one of the options for families of deaf children. It is a highly specialised early intervention family-centred, coaching programme which equips parents and caregivers with the tools to support the development of their deaf child’s speech and spoken language through listening.

Senior Auditory Verbal therapist, Noel Kenely meeting Rose at AVUK

Approximately 80% of children who attend our Auditory Verbal programme for families, for at least two years, achieve the same level of spoken language as their hearing peers, rising to 97% of children without additional needs. Most of these children attend mainstream schools and are attaining educational outcomes on a par with hearing children.

However, currently only 8% of deaf children who could benefit from an Auditory Verbal therapy programme can access it as it is not widely available for families through publicly funded services in the UK. We are working to change that.

At Auditory Verbal UK, we provide Auditory Verbal therapy directly to families, as well as training professionals working with deaf children in the Auditory Verbal approach. We have a clear mission to transform the landscape of Auditory Verbal provision in the UK, so that every family who wants their child to learn to listen and talk will be able to access an Auditory Verbal programme through publicly funded services in their local area.

To find out more about Auditory Verbal therapy please use this enquiry form or contact us on [email protected] or 01869 325000.