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that identifies each of the cranial nerves by name and how its' distinct role affects, and is affected by the functions of other cranial nerves. She explained how to interpret behaviors and performance with respect to cranial nerve functioning. She utilized video clips of two young CHARGE children, and referred to two others, one of whom was at the conference. Both the morning and afternoon crowds, including the over-flow backed into the corridor past the line of sight, were rapt.
On the last morning of the conference, the panel of experts shared the platform to answer questions from the conference participants. Time after time, the other professionals -- including medical doctors, psychologists, speech and language therapists, audiologists -- turned to Judith for her perspective on the various concerns. It was evident that the parents and professionals present acknowledged the applicability of Judith's unique understanding of CHARGE.
Along with the two presentations we made, we attended other sessions and were available for personal discussion after the conference officially ended. The large deaf population among CHARGErs uses American Sign Language to communicate. Neither Judith nor I sign, so we enlisted my daughter, Cheryl Suliteanu, to assist us in social conversation. She is now an elementary school teacher, but as a college freshman, had enrolled in the Cal-State Northridge curriculum toward a Deaf Education degree.
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Cheryl was so awed by the families she met and observed over the few days we were in Indianapolis she volunteered to contribute to the effort to bring the 2005 Conference to San Diego.
Following the conference, parents and children crowded into our suite, gleaning valuable information to take home. Others sought one-on-one evaluation and programs through the Institute. Since, two families have brought their children to Judith for assessments, have received individualized HANDLE programs for home treatment, and have been amazed at how quickly HANDLE has helped their children.
One five year old, after just five weeks, was able to sleep on her own for the first time and her fear of new people and situations had subsided into healthy caution. Physically, she demonstrated greater fluidity of movement and the spasticity in her legs disappeared. Her language and articulation improved and she began to draw and write. As a result, her family is considering mainstreaming her into a regular first grade classroom next year.
Dramatic changes materialized in a CHARGEr who had yet to speak a word in her fifteen years. At the time of her assessment she appeared to be half her actual age. Her disorganized and aggressive behaviors caused others to be frightened of her. Just five weeks into her individualized program, she began to speak MaMa and BaaBoo (Bubble). She was able to sustain her visual focus and had an emerging sense of three-
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