MICROTIA AND ATRESIA WORKSHOPS

Microtia and Atresia Confidence and Resilience Workshops

The Microtia and Atresia Confidence and Resilience Workshops are group workshops for primary school aged children born with microtia and atresia.

These workshops are fun and interactive and address some of the issues that children with microtia and atresia often face. These children have unique needs that are often not supported anywhere else. Being rare conditions, it can be difficult for children to meet other children with the same conditions and they often feel alone and that no one else can relate to their concerns and feelings. We can provide an opportunity for peer support for these children by providing a safe and welcoming environment where they can learn and develop self-advocacy and social skills.

These workshops will be led by experienced facilitators who specialise in paediatric audiology, primary/early childhood education, and have an understanding of microtia and atresia. External providers may provide team building activities and we also aim to have mentors (teenage children born with microtia and atresia) to assist and support the children.

We will offer Confidence and Resilience Workshops at various times and locations during the year, depending on demand. The three hour workshop will offer a variety of activities for the children to participate in. They will learn how the hearing system works and get a better understanding of their hearing loss. There will also be discussions about growing up with microtia and atresia and the children will be given some practical skills and strategies.

The workshop will focus on developing skills and strategies to:

• Build self-esteem and boost self-confidence
• Strengthen and foster their self-advocacy skills
• Improve communication skills
• Better understand their own hearing loss and the auditory system
• Be able to explain their hearing loss and technology to their peers
• Build overall independence and resilience by recognising their own values, strengths, and positive qualities
• Discuss techniques to handle everyday situations like staring, questions and comments
• Manage other people’s reactions and questions
• Share experiences with others and swap ideas
• Build relationships and friendships

Places are limited for our Microtia and Atresia Confidence and Resilience Workshops. There is a minimum of 6 participants required to deliver the workshop and a maximum of 12 places available. This workshop is eligible to be funded by your child’s NDIS plan for participants with self or plan-managed funding. Subsidised funding is also available for families who do not have NDIS plans.

Online workshops may also be offered if there is enough interest.