I am a native of Northern VA and a mother of 5.  My youngest, Felicity, was born profoundly deaf in 2013.  We learned about Cued Speech from my husband’s co-worker.

I never took a formal cue class.  I was taught how to read the Cue Chart, and spent a summer watching Brian Kelly Cued Speech videos on YouTube.  (Look him up, he’s awesome!)  I didn’t waste 6 weeks learning 1 handshape a week, and neither should you!

Felicity is profoundly deaf.  Hearing aids and implants did not give her access to speech sounds.  She has been getting 100% of her home language – spoken English – through visual cues her whole life.  Both parents and her 4 siblings cue to her at home, and she gets a CLT at school.

I love the access and freedom Cued Speech gives her and my whole family.  We not only share language, but share things like my mom’s Korean accent, animal sounds, and other silly sounds.  She has also learned her ABC’s and how to read with Cued Speech – no different than her hearing brothers and sisters.