2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 17-19, 2024 • Denver, CO
3/19/2024 | 11:00 AM - 11:25 AM | Children with Microtia/Atresia-An Introduction to | Capitol 6
Children with Microtia/Atresia-An Introduction to
Parents of children with microtia/atresia often report poor experiences with the EHDI process, characterized by conflicting guidance and a lack of or inaccurate information about hearing loss, amplification needs, other medical follow up, and Early Intervention and little information on addressing their or their child’s social/emotional development related to having a visible birth difference. Although the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program involves a process that unfolds over time, parents of children born with microtia/atresia experience something quite different. Their journey often starts abruptly, mere moments after their child’s birth. Due to the visible nature of microtia (small or absent pinna)/atresia (absent or closed ear canal), it is not unusual for a parent or family member, sometimes in the delivery room, to “diagnose by google”, surrounded by professionals lacking the background, knowledge and expertise to reassure parents’ fears, provide basic information and refer them to resources and professionals who can help. While many professionals who work with families and young children are prepared for the psychosocial support that families of children with SNHL may need, they often have less knowledge or comfort level with how to support children with microtia/atresia and their families. This presentation will focus on discussing the unique experiences of these children and families and identifying resources and strategies to support them on their journey.
- Participants will discuss unique experiences of parents of children with microtia/atresia and the effect of those experiences in meeting their child’s needs.
- Participants will analyze research on supports and psychosocial needs of children with microtia/atresia and their families.
- Participants will identify strategies for supporting families of children with microtia atresia that align with the goals of JCIH and EHDI.
Presentation:
3478265_16439MeredithBerger.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
3478265_16439MeredithBerger.docx
Presenters/Authors
Meredith Berger
(Primary Presenter,Author), Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech, mberger@clarkeschools.org;
Meredith Berger, MS became the director of Clarke Schools for Hearing & Speech/New York, an Early Intervention and Preschool listening spoken language program, in 2008. Prior to that, she was the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Educational Specialist at New York Eye and Ear’s Ear Institute/Cochlear Implant Center. She received a B.S. in Education from SUNY at Buffalo State College and master’s degrees in Deaf Education and in Educational Leadership from Canisius College. In addition to presenting on the educational needs of children with hearing loss, she has also co-authored pieces on the Clinic-School relationship. Meredith is on the Executive Board of Option Schools as a Director at Large and is member of the Children's Hearing Institute Medical and Educational Advisory Board. In 2017, Meredith began her doctoral studies at Teachers College, Columbia University to find answers to her own questions on the needs/outcomes of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, particularly those with microtia/atresia, and their families.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech.
Nonfinancial -
• Has a Professional (NYS EHDI Advisory Board Member)
relationship for Volunteer membership on advisory committee or review panels.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech.
Nature: Employed by Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.