Noah was born five-weeks prematurely and diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Still absorbing this news when Noah did not pass his newborn hearing screening on a number of occasions his parents were told not to worry.

However a few weeks later Noah was diagnosed as profoundly deaf in one ear and with a mild/moderate fluctuating hearing loss in his other ear. His Mum Pamela said: “This was completely life shattering. I had had monthly healthy scans through my pregnancy and was now dealing with two very unexpected diagnosis. I really wasn’t processing everything I was being told.”

The family based in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, then began navigating a multitude of medical appointments for Noah as well as looking after his two older sisters who were then six and three.

Noah had his first hearing aids at 11 weeks old and despite his family wanting him to be able speak,  the only suggestion made was to learn Makaton.

Pamela explained: “We found out about Auditory Verbal therapy (AVT) by pure coincidence – a passing stranger in a park saw Noah’s hearing aids and opened up about his grandson who was deaf and was being supported to listen and speak with AVT.

“I did some online research and found out there was an information course running the very next day. It is there we met Rosie – the only specialist Auditory Verbal Therapist in Northern Ireland. We started on the programme two weeks later.

“Starting out we were unsure if AVT would be the right approach to help Noah to talk especially with the difficulties Down Syndrome alone causes for children’s speech and language development.

“From the initial meeting we forged such a wonderful relationship with Rosie. She was and still is so approachable, informative, encouraging and supportive. It was her gentle nature and her belief in Noah from the onset that made the difference.

“It was a steep learning curve for me as AVT is a parent-centred approach and there was lots to learn to implement the AVT strategies on a daily basis but it was so wonderful when we started to see progress with Noah.

“We began the programme in 2018 and when covid forced our sessions online we were concerned but we embraced it and Noah looked forward to them. With the focus being parent-centred and play based, the online sessions were as effective as our face-to-face sessions.”

Despite issues with his hearing technology and his additional and complex needs Noah completed from the Auditory Verbal therapy programme in 2022 at six having made fantastic progress.

Pamela added: “Noah’s speech is wonderful and surpasses what we could have ever imagined he would achieve. We regularly get told how amazing his speech is and we are so thankful for this opportunity.”

The family were supported financially by the Birkdale Trust as there are currently no certified Auditory Verbal therapists in Northern Ireland working within local services, with Rosie – the country’s only certified AV therapist currently working in independent practice.

Pamela said: “We know that without AVT our little boy would not have become the effective communicator he is. He continues to have many medical challenges but we are so proud of him and delighted he can verbally convey his needs.

“He attends mainstream primary school with a one-to-one support. He really enjoys sport, especially rugby, and is a budding musician, learning to play the violin.

“Noah has taught us all to have high expectations for him and not be held back by outdated preconceptions of what he may achieve but to keep pushing hard to find the right approach that works to help him learn across all areas.

“The only limitations on your child are the ones you or others place. With our desire and Rosie’s belief in him, Noah is able to talk and proof that anything is possible if you believe.”

Pamela and Michael, Noah’s Mum and Dad

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Thank You Rosie

Noah Moore is my name

Over 3 years ago I was born not quite the same

Doctors told mummy and daddy I was deaf and wouldn’t say

And now I am chatting every day

 

Hearing aids to high tech pieces, I have had the lot

No one could believe one day if I sought

To be the best

I could reach beyond the rest

Hearing and chatting Is what I love to do

Just give me time and I’ll hear you

I will reply in just a minute or two

But you’ll be surprised at what I can do

 

Ballymena to London I did go on a quest

God has given me two ears to make a success

And I was determined to use even the smidge of hearing I did possess

God gave me a brain to hear with

ears are just my vessels

Each day I’m learning to listen and the sounds I have to wrestle

 

Friends and family prayed for me

God sent a therapist called Rosie into our life to see

She taught me how to learn to listen

And she said she would continue in one condition

I have to sit like a good boy

I learned to listen with the use of many a toy

 

You see, in the UK, Auditory Verbal Therapy

Has helped little girls and boys like me

To speak and say how I feel

I can honestly say

God has been with me and he will always stay

From extra work given to mummy and me every day

And having to try to focus and not sway

 

You have believed in me and helped me all the way

So it’s only right that I should say

A big THANK YOU Rosie goes to you

For it has only been possible because of people

Like you to name a few

So let’s say hip hip hooray

Rosie Gardner you are great in every way

 

Love from Noah (and my mummy)

Age 3. 

Watch Noah telling everyone about his Christmas wish list

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