THE EDITOR IN CHIEF'S DESK FAYE SIMON

Communication is Key

Vision, Hearing and Speech are essential components in cognition and communication.

This month's issue of EP Magazine centers on Vision, Hearing and Speech. As a part of our modified and updated yearly editorial calendar, we have elevated the topic from a sub-theme into the main subject of our March edition.

Vision, Hearing and Speech are essential components in cognition and communication, and allow us to access the world around us visually and through sound and language. For those who have visual, hearing or speech impairments, especially children, it is imperative that those senses and skills be augmented or developed so that they may acquire that same access to the world around them. 

“When a child struggles to communicate, parents recognize how much this impacts all other aspects of their child’s life,” says Avivit Ben-Aharon in her article about social and emotional development. “Boosting selfconfidence, enhancing interpersonal relationships and enabling the child to express wishes and articulate desires, provide the child with the greatest possible chance for success.” In this issue, we present a wide range of articles that address this crucial topic, from early intervention, to academic intervention, through agerelated hearing and vision loss.

In addition to our main theme, we continue to explore childrens' mental health and how it manifests in the classroom. We also include articles on traumatic brain injury as well as advocacy; self-advocacy in the case of the hearing impaired, and advocacy in parent leadership as explained by Pamela Aasen, a longtime EP contributor.

“For children who have impairments, it is imperative that skills be developed so that they may aquire access to the world around them.”

When it comes to vision, we are looking towards the future of EP Magazine. Along with the previously-mentioned adjustments to our editorial calendar, we are also enhancing the ways in which the publication engages with our readership. We have recently rehabilitated our Twitter presence and have had far more interaction there than in the recent past. Please be sure to follow us there at twitter.com/epmzine. While you’re at it, be sure to like us on Facebook at facebook.com/exceptionalparentmag . and share our Instagram feed at instagram.com/epmzine Also, please reccomend EP to any family members, colleagues or associates whom you believe would benefit from our monthly coverage for the special needs community. Receive “EP for Free” – just visit www.epmagazine.com and click Subscribe!

Faye Simon

Editor In Chief

THE EDITOR IN CHIEF'S DESK

Faye Simon is a certified pre-K—8 teacher with a wide range of educational experience. She has worked in deaf/blind and infant stimulation programs, taught K—2 in public schools, and was a Head Teacher and Parent Coordinator for Head Start. She is Founder and President of the volunteer-run IES Brain Research Foundation. As EP's Editor In Chief, Faye sources and edits articles, creates partnerships with businesses and not-for-profit organizations, and develops relationships with EP's writers, corporate partners, readers and staff.

Information and Support for the Special Needs Community

VOLUME 53 ISSUE 3 ESTABLISHED 1971

Publisher Len Harac lharac@epmagazine.com

Editior In Chief Faye Simon fsimon@epmagazine.com

Art Direction & Design Leverett Cooper lev@foxprintdesign.com

EXCEPTIONAL PARENT MEDIA

Exceptional Parent (ISSN 0046-9157) is published monthly 12 times per year including the special January EP Guide - Navigating Special Needs Resources by Exceptional Parent Magazine, 1360 Clifton Avenue, Ste. 327, Clifton, NJ 07012 Internet address: epmagazine.com. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2023 by Exceptional Parent Magazine,. Exceptional Parent™ is a registered trademark of Exceptional Parent Magazine. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Exceptional Parent,1360 Clifton Avenue, Ste. 327, Clifton, NJ 07012. Any applicable periodical postage paid at Clifton, NJ and additional mailing offices (USPS 557-810). Basic annual subscription for EP Digital is free. Limited edition print subscription $199.00. Subscriber Service: Direct all inquiries & address changes to: Exceptional Parent, 1360 Clifton Avenue, Ste. 327, Clifton, NJ 07012 08758. Customer Service/New Orders: E-mail: fsimon@epmagazine.com or call (973) 726-6218. Back issues incur a charge of $17 each with shipping, (January issue $20 when requested) and depend upon availability. Call (973) 726-6218. Agreement #1420542

Exceptional Parent (ISSN 0046-9157) is published monthly 12 times per year including the special January EP Guide - Navigating Special Needs Resources by Exceptional Parent Magazine, 1360 Clifton Avenue, Ste. 327, Clifton, NJ 07012 Internet address: epmagazine.com. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2023 by Exceptional Parent Magazine,. Exceptional Parent™ is a registered trademark of Exceptional Parent Magazine. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Exceptional Parent,1360 Clifton Avenue, Ste. 327, Clifton, NJ 07012. Any applicable periodical postage paid at Clifton, NJ and additional mailing offices (USPS 557-810). Basic annual subscription for EP Digital is free. Limited edition print subscription $199.00. Subscriber Service: Direct all inquiries & address changes to: Exceptional Parent, 1360 Clifton Avenue, Ste. 327, Clifton, NJ 07012 08758. Customer Service/New Orders: E-mail: fsimon@epmagazine.com or call (973) 726-6218. Back issues incur a charge of $17 each with shipping, (January issue $20 when requested) and depend upon availability. Call (973) 726-6218. Agreement #1420542