EARLY HEARING DETECTION AND INTERVENTION VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
MARCH 2-5, 2021
(Virtually the same conference, without elevators, airplane tickets, or hotel room keys)
Hearing Peers' Impact on Language Development of Students Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Each year, more and more children who are deaf/hard of hearing enroll in their local school districts, rather than in specialized schools for the deaf. When preschool aged children who are deaf/hard of hearing enter educational settings with typically hearing children, they have the opportunity to build positive relationships with their peers. However, without intentional facilitated support from educators, therapists, and professionals, recent studies show that children who are deaf/hard of hearing interact less with peers and engage in less play than hearing children of the same age (Antia, Kreimeyer, Metz, & Spolsky, 2011). The ability to interact socially is a key aspect of development for every child, whether deaf or hearing. Positive peer relationships are associated with increased self-esteem, emotion regulation, successful adjustment to school transitions, and positive attitudes towards school (Batten, Oakes, & Alexander, 2013). Providing preschool aged children the opportunity to build positive peer relationships at a young age will enhance their relationships and social interactions as they progress in school and in life. Instilling a joy for friendships and communication with individuals of all abilities in young children can impact the types of interactions children have and provide them will skills for successful social communication for the future.
- Identify benefits of the presence of hearing peers in reverse mainstreamed deaf/hard of hearing preschools.
- Review the effectiveness of inclusive classrooms of social language development of deaf/hard of hearing students.
- Describe the role of hearing peers, educators, therapists, and professionals in inclusive classroom settings.
Poster:
23278_13738AbigailWells.pdf
Presenter: Abigail Wells
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Grants for Other activities from IPEI OSERS H325K170008 Grant.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.