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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Resource Materials Guiding Decision-Making: How Do They Measure Up?' Track: 6-Family Issues Keyword(s): early intervention, communication and language, decision-making, professional development Learning Objectives: Describe best practices in sharing information with families. Identify several commonly used sources of information for families. Describe next steps individuals and organizations can take to ensure that material used with families reflects best practices. Abstract: Several researchers have investigated the decision-making process and families’ experiences selecting appropriate communication, language and technology opportunities for their children (Meadow-Orlans, et al., 2003; Steinberg, et al., 2003; Wainscott; et al., 2004; Watson, et al., 2007; & Young, et al., 2006;). Young et al., suggest that families need “comprehensive, meaningful, relevant and evidence-based information”. Professionals understand that early access to language is essential and often encourage families to make decisions as soon as possible. However, it is not always realistic for families whose infants’ hearing abilities have been recently identified to make informed decisions in the first few months of their child’s life. Families indicate that the lack of comprehensible information and professional biases are among the issues that can make this a stressful experience. In response to this dilemma, several recent materials (e.g., brochures, internet sites) have been developed to provide families with information and strategies to help guide decision-making. Presenters will review key findings from research and best practice documents and share selected materials that are widely available. Participants will be encouraged to share the resources they use and discuss to what extent the materials they recommend to families are useful and reflect best practices as cited in the literature. The goal of this session is to provide participants with criteria they can use to gauge the effectiveness of resource materials that have been developed to guide the decision-making process. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
SPEAKER INFORMATION
PRESENTER(S): Marilyn Sass-Lehrer - Gallaudet University      Credentials: Ph.D.       Marilyn Sass-Lehrer is Professor Emerita at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, USA. She received a master’s degree in Deaf Education from New York University and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in Early Childhood Education and Curriculum and Instruction. She is the co-director of the Gallaudet University Graduate Interdisciplinary Certificate Program: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants, Toddlers and Their Families. She is editor of Early Intervention for Deaf and Hard-of- Hearing Infants, Toddlers and their Families: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (2016), co-author of Parents and their Deaf Children: The Early Years (2003), and co-editor of The Young Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child: A Family-Centered Approach to Early Education (2003). Dr. Sass-Lehrer has been actively involved in national and international efforts to support professional development and learning for early intervention providers and promote quality early education and family involvement. Beth Benedict - Gallaudet University      Credentials: Ph.D.      Other Affiliations: American Society for Deaf Children       Beth S. Benedict, Ph.D., a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C., has focused on family involvement in schools with deaf and hard of hearing children, early childhood education, advocacy, early communication, and partnerships between deaf and hearing professionals and early intervention programs and services. Her work has been shared in numerous publications and through her work as a national and international presenter. Dr. Benedict is very involved in different organizations and boards. She is the Chair of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, President of the American Society of Deaf Children, on the Council of Education of the Deaf, the Maryland Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Council and actively involved in a variety of other EHDI initiatives. Gina Oliva - Gallaudet University      Credentials: Ph.D., Retired Professor, Gallaudet University, Author       Gina Oliva retired in 2009 from her position as Professor of Physical Education and Recreation at Gallaudet University. Her BA is from Washington College in Chestertown Md., her MA is from Gallaudet, and her doctorate is from the University of Maryland. Her career at Gallaudet spanned more than 35 years, and included work in student activities, outreach/community development, and health/fitness. Hard of Hearing/Deaf since age 5, Dr. Oliva has been active in advocacy work with EHDI since 2006. In 2004 she published her first book, Alone in the Mainstream: A deaf woman remembers public school. A sequel, co-authored with clinical psychologist Dr. Linda Lytle, includes retrospective data from DHH adults aged 18-34 and other current information -- to be released in 2013. When not volunteering her time for the benefit of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, Gina enjoys racquetball, cycling, and other active pursuits. Barbara Raimondo - Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf      Credentials: Esq.       Barbara is a long-time advocate for the rights of deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families. She has worked as a government relations liaison, director of advocacy, parent consultant, attorney, and trainer. She has presented and written about numerous topics including early hearing detection and intervention, education, test equity, civil rights, family support, deaf-hearing partnerships, parent and deaf community involvement, and others. She also has served on the board of the Maryland School for the Deaf, including as president for three terms. She has testified before Congress. She and her husband are the parents of two deaf young adults and in the past hosted a deaf exchange student from Ghana. She received her law degree from George Mason University.   AUTHOR(S): Marilyn Sass-Lehrer - Gallaudet University      Credentials: Ph.D.       BIO: Marilyn Sass-Lehrer is Professor Emerita at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, USA. She received a master’s degree in Deaf Education from New York University and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in Early Childhood Education and Curriculum and Instruction. She is the co-director of the Gallaudet University Graduate Interdisciplinary Certificate Program: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants, Toddlers and Their Families. She is editor of Early Intervention for Deaf and Hard-of- Hearing Infants, Toddlers and their Families: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (2016), co-author of Parents and their Deaf Children: The Early Years (2003), and co-editor of The Young Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child: A Family-Centered Approach to Early Education (2003). Dr. Sass-Lehrer has been actively involved in national and international efforts to support professional development and learning for early intervention providers and promote quality early education and family involvement. Beth Benedict - Gallaudet University      Credentials: Ph.D.      Other Affiliations: American Society for Deaf Children       BIO: Beth S. Benedict, Ph.D., a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C., has focused on family involvement in schools with deaf and hard of hearing children, early childhood education, advocacy, early communication, and partnerships between deaf and hearing professionals and early intervention programs and services. Her work has been shared in numerous publications and through her work as a national and international presenter. Dr. Benedict is very involved in different organizations and boards. She is the Chair of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, President of the American Society of Deaf Children, on the Council of Education of the Deaf, the Maryland Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Council and actively involved in a variety of other EHDI initiatives. Gina Oliva - Gallaudet University      Credentials: Ph.D., Retired Professor, Gallaudet University, Author       BIO: Gina Oliva retired in 2009 from her position as Professor of Physical Education and Recreation at Gallaudet University. Her BA is from Washington College in Chestertown Md., her MA is from Gallaudet, and her doctorate is from the University of Maryland. Her career at Gallaudet spanned more than 35 years, and included work in student activities, outreach/community development, and health/fitness. Hard of Hearing/Deaf since age 5, Dr. Oliva has been active in advocacy work with EHDI since 2006. In 2004 she published her first book, Alone in the Mainstream: A deaf woman remembers public school. A sequel, co-authored with clinical psychologist Dr. Linda Lytle, includes retrospective data from DHH adults aged 18-34 and other current information -- to be released in 2013. When not volunteering her time for the benefit of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, Gina enjoys racquetball, cycling, and other active pursuits. Barbara Raimondo - Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf      Credentials: Esq.       BIO: Barbara is a long-time advocate for the rights of deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families. She has worked as a government relations liaison, director of advocacy, parent consultant, attorney, and trainer. She has presented and written about numerous topics including early hearing detection and intervention, education, test equity, civil rights, family support, deaf-hearing partnerships, parent and deaf community involvement, and others. She also has served on the board of the Maryland School for the Deaf, including as president for three terms. She has testified before Congress. She and her husband are the parents of two deaf young adults and in the past hosted a deaf exchange student from Ghana. She received her law degree from George Mason University.