Rotarians that were veterans were acknowledged and applauded for their service to our country in honor of Veterans Day. President Matthew Nightingale asked for those interested in being an officer for the next year or to be on the board of directors to please let him know before the Dec. 12 meeting.
The guest speaker, Kimberly Matthews, was hosted by Rotarian Becky Day. Matthews spoke about her work for the Maine Education Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing and The Governor Baxter School for the Deaf otherwise known as MECDHH/GBSD that strives to be a community that values and nurtures the wealth of cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity of society.
With a minor in education from the University of Maine and a master’s degree from the University of Arizona, Matthews is able to help children up to the age of 21 from the outreach center in Aroostook County. Matthews’ job is labeled ECFS/PSO that stands for Early Childhood Family Services with a Public School Outreach. The main office is now part of the Portland school district and also on Mackworth Island in Falmouth at the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf.
The outreach program covers the state as 600 students are served through the program. Over 70 trained consultants work around the State of Maine. Matthews covers Aroostook County from Linneus to Caribou working with 14 children. Matthews’ specialty is working with birth to 5 years of age. The goal is to look for hearing loss by one month of age and to have a diagnosis by 3 months of age with a plan set in place by 6 months. There are 25 students in the grades kindergarten through 12 ranging between Presque Isle and Millinocket. There is another expert who covers central Aroostook.
Most people with normal hearing learn through “incidental hearing,” listening to people around them. Hearing loss requires “intentional hearing,” which is where intervention comes into play. Audiograms measure the amount of hearing loss to begin the solution process. Technology, hearing aids, testing, coaching parents assist children with communication. Language and social assessments are made for the teaching plans.
Matthews had the Rotary group cover their ears while she read a nursery rhyme. She turned away from the group and continued reading to show what hearing loss feels like. If a member in the audience heard the whole rhyme they were able to fill in the sound by memory.
Some of Matthews’ work is with teachers who might miss the effect of hearing loss on social and emotional growth. Some children feel left out and can play out their frustration with poor behavior. Matthews helps to teach these students self advocacy such as speaking up to have something repeated for them to hear.
A family fun day is very supportive for families and their children to be with others who have similar experiences. The Houlton Rotary Club donated funds to help with this event and Matthews expressed her gratitude for the support. For more information the website is mecdhh.org.
