2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH

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4/16/2013  |   1:45 PM - 2:45 PM   |  EHDI Professionals: Helping Parents Make the Best Choice   |  Cira C   |  1

EHDI Professionals: Helping Parents Make the Best Choice

When parents discover that their child is deaf or hard of hearing, they are often immediately asked to make choices re: communication, language, technology, and early intervention services. As described in the cited references, this is often a stressful time for families. What would make this easier? One powerful idea is to put in practice the using of the terminology “opportunities” instead of “options” in terms of framing provision of guidance and support to families. Dialogues at the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) meetings and the e-EHDI book by the National Center on Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) have recognized the value of this paradigm, but not yet put it in universal practice. To assist you as an EHDI professional in comprehension and transition, the presentation will both share parents’ perspectives and ways of incorporating this concept in practice. As for parents, a variety of parents’ experiences will be showcased (including a parent with an deaf and autistic child, parent of child with two CIs, and a parent of four deaf children- two are hard of hearing). The presentation will also include parents’ perspectives on how the EHDI system can be adjusted to more fully support both the parents and the child’s eventual development by using the word “opportunities” instead of “options. This would mean the EHDI professionals provide all information and encourage parents to try a combination of approaches until they discover their individual deaf or hard of hearing child’s unique strengths and abilities. This would mean parents would not be expected to rush into a choice based on their lack of knowledge but rather, receive increased support and access to resources from experienced EHDI professionals in getting to know their child first before making a final decision.

  • Analyze the current EHDI program approach and how this impacts parents' decisions
  • Differentiate EHDI terminology and provision of resources in a transforming way
  • Apply the paradigm shift to daily practices in order to better support parents with their child

Presentation:
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Handouts:
Handout is not Available

Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference


Presenters/Authors

Tawny Holmes Hlibok, Esq. (POC,Co-Presenter), Gallaudet University, tawny.holmes.hlibok@gallaudet.edu;
Tawny Holmes Hlibok serves as Language Policy Counsel at Gallaudet University along with being an Associate Professor in the Department of Deaf Studies. She graduated from University of Baltimore School of Law. In addition to her law degree with a family mediation & law certification, she has a Master of Arts in Family Centered Early Education. Ms. Holmes Hlibok has worked four years in teaching deaf and hard of hearing students, mainly in the early childhood education field. As part of her position, she focuses on improving/establishing federal and state policy related to early intervention and education of deaf and hard of hearing children. Ms. Holmes Hlibok strongly believes in the power of collaboration and has contributed a significant amount of her work towards this endeavor, in varying ways, from promoting parent resources to inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing adult professionals.


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Gallaudet University.
• Receives Salary for Employment from National Association of the Deaf.

Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.

Stefanie Ellis-Gonzales (Co-Presenter), National Association of the Deaf, stefaniedena@gmail.com;
Stefanie D. Ellis-Gonzales, MSW, is a mother of 3 Deaf children, one of who has autism. She works as a counselor for deaf students in the Deaf Studies Division at Ohlone College in Fremont, California. Stefanie is passionate about raising awareness and furthering opportunities for deaf individuals with autism, and has written and presented on the subject. Stefanie co-founded the nation’s first and only Autreat for D/HH families of D/HH children with autism in 2006. She is co-founder of Deaf Autism America (DAA), established for the purpose of increasing available education, resources, advocacy and networking opportunities for professionals and families of deaf children with autism. Stefanie has a strong volunteer ethic and is very active in community events, programs and organizations, and at California School for the Deaf, Fremont (CSD) where her children attend. Stefanie is married to Len Gonzales and her family resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -