2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
3/04/2019 | 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM | The Pennsylvania Early Intervention (EI) Communication Plan | International A
The Pennsylvania Early Intervention (EI) Communication Plan
The EI Communication Plan in Pennsylvania is designed to ensure that the unique language and communication needs/options of a child with deafness or hearing loss are addressed. Promoting discussion is the primary purpose of the EI Communication Plan and the plan should be updated, as needed. Through the utilization of the Communication Plan, parents learn to be valuable team members while also contributing to a variety of sections in the IFSP/IEP such as Summary of Child’s Present Performance, Summary of Family Information, Special Considerations, Outcomes/Goals, Specially Designed Instruction, EI Supports and Services, and/or Participation with Typically Developing Children. As hearing loss is considered a “low incidence disability,” parents, as part of the IFSP/IEP team, often have to make certain that language, communication choices, access to support and other unique hearing loss considerations are addressed. The EI Communication Plan aids in this process by specifically focusing on six sections, which are Language and Communication Needs, Assistive Technology, Peers and/or Roles Models who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Services and Resources, Qualified Service Providers and Full Communication Access. In Pennsylvania Early Intervention, the Communication Plan can either be used to aid discussion with the components being embedded into the IFSP/IEP or can be completed and appended to the IFSP/IEP. This presentation aims to clearly outline the benefits of an EI Communication Plan while highlighting and explaining the six sections of the plan, mentioned above. We anticipate that the information presented will be helpful to states looking for an additional tool in facilitating discussion between team members in the planning process of an IFSP/IEP for a child with a hearing loss.
- Outline and explain the benefits of an EI Communication Plan.
- Demonstrate how an EI Communication Plan can promote and aid discussion.
- Illustrate how an EI Communication Plan can help make families aware of all communication options as well as assistive technology, services and resources, in an unbiased manner.
Presentation:
18878_10357KevinYoungblood.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
18878_10357DeborahNoel.docx
Presenters/Authors
Anne Gaspich
(), Early Intervention Technical Assistance, Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side of PA, agaspich@pattan.net;
Anne Gaspich is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University. She is the parent of four children, the youngest of whom has hearing loss. Anne joined the Pennsylvania EHDI program in August 2011 as the Program Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Department of Health funded family support program, now Family Connections for Language and Learning. Anne is also a consultant for Early Intervention Technical Assistance on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Initiative. She has attended the National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention meeting 2013 – 2019 and received the Pennsylvania Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Award for Distinguished Service. She has presented at the annual PA state Low Incidence Institute and other statewide training.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Deborah Noel
(), Office of Child Development & Early Learning, dnoel@pa.gov;
Deb Noel is a Division Chief of Operations and Monitoring in the Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Deb is also on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s committee, Education and Resources for Children with Hearing Loss (ERCHL) a stakeholder group to improve the outcomes for children.
Prior to joining OCDEL, Deb worked at the local level in Early Intervention for 15 years. During this time, she was a designated service coordinator for infants and toddlers who were deaf or hard of hearing.
Deb received her BA in Psychology at Millersville University. While pursuing this degree, Deb worked as well as supervised several group homes for adults several who were Deaf.
Deb has a passion in working with families of infants, toddlers and preschool-age children who are Deaf or hard of hearing. She enjoys the work with family and system partnerships.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Kevin Youngblood
(), Office of Child Development & Early Learning, kyoungbloo@pa.gov;
Kevin Youngblood is a graduate of Mount Aloysius College. Kevin joined the Pennsylvania Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) in October 2017 as an Early Intervention Advisor with specialized duties in Deaf/HH initiatives, such as trainings and data collection. Kevin is a member of the EHDI advisory group for Pennsylvania and has attended the most recent National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention meeting.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.