2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
2/28/2017 | 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Sign Language for Families and Practitioners | Hanover A
Sign Language for Families and Practitioners
Are you a parent, family member, or practitioner of a deaf and hard of hearing child? Of course, you’re here! Join us and participate in an interactive overview of American Sign Language and learn more about how its applicable to these children. As a family member, doctor, audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or other early interventionist, you can create an environment where children have access to using sign language to create meaning; enhancing their abilities to develop cognitively, age appropriately, and become bilingual or multilingual communicators. The importance of this is often underrepresented, leaving many deaf and hard of hearing children without an aspect that is also critical for maximizing their potential. An overview of evidence-based practice will be shared to increase understanding of how you can implement strategies in your home and/or place of service. Evidence that also challenges claims that insist sign language will hinder the child’s learning process. Family members and practitioners building a foundation of signs can overcome the struggle with speech that is often misheard or frequencies that are always absent. Learn the most common words and phrases in an easy to learn and use format. The workshop will guide basic understanding of what sign language is, how sign language acquisition works, and research that supports the benefits of sign language for deaf children and children. Presenters will also discuss the potential of pairing sign language with cochlear implants and other assistive technology, when applicable, to support these children in multiple ways. Participants will have the opportunity experience hands-on activities with visuals and live presenters to guide learning. In addition, carefully crafted handouts for further development and additional resources will be provided. There will also be sign language activities specially designed for deaf and hard of hearing children in attendance.
- Learn practical American Sign Language for a variety of areas of work.
- Participate in interactive sign language lessons and strategies for implementing sign language communications.
- Increase access to services for children who use American Sign Language.
Presentation:
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Handouts:
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Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Mark Ramirez
(), New Mexico School for the Deaf, ramirez.mark.a@gmail.com;
Mark Ramirez was born hearing and grew up like most hearing children. It wasn’t until he was 8 years old that he experienced hearing loss and the new inability to interact and receive education as he had always known. He wore hearing aids at home and was supported with the FM System at school. However, it was not the same. Mark’s mom decided to implement basic signs at home to support communications and placed him in an academic environment where he could receive his education in American Sign Language (ASL). It was not easy; but ultimately, this is when he finally felt normal again. Mark became fluent in ASL and maintained his listening and spoken language abilities with his residual hearing, hearing aids, and speech therapy. Today, Mark is a bilingual, bimodal licensed social worker focusing on all deaf and hard of hearing children, adults, and their hearing family members.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Andrew Bottoms
(), Boston University/Harvard University, Andrew.Bottoms@gmail.com;
Andrew Bottom is currently an ASL professor at Harvard University.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -