Do you have unanswered questions about children with hearing loss? Getting Started: Supporting Children with Hearing Loss was designed to support families and professionals to increase their knowledge and understanding about hearing, hearing loss, and supports that are available in Pennsylvania. Explore the various resources within this interaction to learn more. Document: Getting Started
Description: Strategies for the development of both spoken and signed language within families and caregivers of infants and toddlers who are deaf/hard of hearing. Part 2 and Part 3 coming soon.
Presenters:
Michelle Parfitt, MA, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVEd, is a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist that has been working as a pediatric speech/language pathologist for over 20 years. She is employed as the Director of Early Intervention at DePaul School for Hearing and Speech in Pittsburgh, PA. She has presented to numerous professional and parent groups regarding listening and spoken language development strategies for children with hearing loss.
Mary Ann Stefko, Choices for Children/The Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, earned a Master’s of Education in counselor education and a Bachelor of Science degree in communication disorders from Pennsylvania State University. Her extensive experience includes 20 years teaching students preschool to high school age, in both residential and inclusive educational settings; educational interpreting; presenting and training on deafness and hearing loss to families, educators and the business communities; and teaching at the college level.
Families who learn that their child is deaf, hard of hearing or deaf/blind often have many questions and are unsure of the next steps they need to take. Family Connections for Language and Learning is a program made up of a team of experienced parents of children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf/blind and deaf/hard of hearing adults. They can help families as they navigate the Early Intervention system and explore communication opportunities for their child. Services are provided at no cost to families.
The Centers for Disease Control Prevention has FREE brochures, posters, fact sheets, and more for parents, health care providers, and public health professionals.
A place for families and professionals to find helpful resources and get access to learning experiences. You can also find connections and support from others through the communities here.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Resource Library – Find a collection of resources from first resources for families, support available to families in PA, communication options and much more.
Resources: ANNOUNCEMENT: Early Intervention- 21 # 03: Children who Have a Hearing Loss
Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports Authorization to Release Form
Checklist for Service Coordinators Serving Families of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children
Early Intervention Communication Plan for a Child who is Deaf, Hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind
Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) works on behalf of the Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL).
