2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
3/07/2023 | 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM | Supporting The Family Journey Instead of One Choice | DECC 212
Supporting The Family Journey Instead of One Choice
Professionals who have the honor of journeying with families through the first days, weeks and years after learning their child is Deaf or hard of hearing have an incredible responsibility. The initial professional interaction sets the stage for how the family bonds with their baby and how they approach their child’s acquisition of language.
Early on in their early intervention journey, parents of children who are Deaf or hard of hearing are faced with the challenge of choosing a form of communication for their child within weeks of learning their baby is Deaf or hard of hearing. During this critical time families benefit from support and information given in a way that supports families in reflecting on their process, making initial decisions, while sharing the concept of a life-long journey that may result in twists and turns and changes in their original decisions made for their child and family. Supporting families in an on-going exploration of language and communication approaches, meeting Deaf and hard of hearing adults, various professionals, and recognizing strengths in their child offer families the opportunity to make child and family-centered decisions as their child grows. How professionals follow the child's and family lead impact overall outcomes. Families supported in the ability to explore instead of making one final choice for how they will communicate with their baby in the beginning of their journey empowers families to learn and make informed decisions over time.
In this session strategies will be shared for supporting family reflection and empowerment throughout their early intervention process. Strategies for increasing parent engagement by using reflective practices will also be shared. Three parent/professionals of Deaf and hard of hearing children will share their experiences
- Participants will be able to identify three ways in which to support families in reflecting on their exploration of language and communication opportunities.
- Participants will be able to identify three ways in which to support families in reflecting on their exploration of language and communication opportunities.
- Participants will be able to identify three ways early interventionists can follow the family's lead in supporting family outcomes.
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
Karen Hopkins
(), The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, karen.hopkins@mecdhh.org;
Karen Hopkins is the Executive Director of The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and the principal investigator of Maine's HRSA grant. She brings over 30 years of experience as a collaborative teacher of the deaf, special educator, early interventionist and educational administrator to her work with Deaf and hard of hearing children. Her work with families, coupled with her own personal experience as a Deaf adult and parent of a daughter who is hard of hearing have inspired her to create systems that empower families. Karen oversees early intervention and statewide educational programming for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing birth to age 22 throughout the state of Maine. She is active in many organizations and boards in Maine, the Hands & Voices HQ Board of Directors and is involved with international FCEI programming including the Deaf Leadership International Alliance. Karen's current research is focused on perspectives of family empowerment in early intervention systems for Deaf and hard of hearing children.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary,Grants for Management position from HRSA Maine Educational Center for the Deaf.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Amber Woodcock
(), parent , amberwoodcock85@gmail.com;
Amber is a parent of child who is Deaf. Amber i the Guide By Your Side Coordinator for Maine's Family Based Organization Hands & Voices.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -