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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Lessons to learn from Deaf College Students: A Panel Presentation' Track: - Keyword(s): real life experiences, growing up deaf/hh Learning Objectives: Participants will explore the early years as seen through the eyes of young deaf and hard of hearing adults. Participants will be able to identify environmental factors (people and systems) that influenced the development of these young adults Participants will take home advice for how families and the professionals who guide them can promote the social-emotional, cognitive and linguistic development of deaf infants and toddlers. Abstract: The world of the child is best understood through an exploration of the people and systems that shape their lives. Bronfenbrenner (2003) proposed the ecological systems theory to explain how the child’s environment affects growth and development. For the young child, the family is the most significant influence on development and provides a foundation for social-emotional, cognitive and linguistic development. The child’s perspective is often missing from the discussion of how best to raise a deaf or hard of hearing child. This presentation will include 8 deaf and hard of hearing university students who recognize the importance of the early years and appreciate the support of their families in their own developmental journeys. These students will share their experiences growing up; some in deaf and other in hearing families. Students will share their thoughts on their upbringing and the environmental factors and systems that influenced and shaped who they are today. The students will also share reflections they collected from their families including the support and advice their own parents received from professionals when they were first identified as deaf or hard of hearing. The moderator of the panel will ask the students questions that cover their earliest memories, early education experiences, family communication, friendships and the recommendations they and their families have for other families with deaf children and the professionals who guide them. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions following the conclusion of the panel. Presentation: View Video (1GB) Please be patient it may take a minute to load depending on you internet speed This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Beth Benedict - POC,Primary Presenter 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.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. -             ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Suhana Alam - Co-Presenter CDC / ORISE      Credentials: MPH       Suhana Alam is currently serving as an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) fellowship. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health and her Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology, both from the University of Georgia in Athens. She enjoys traveling, learning different cultures, and trying different cuisines. Her primary communication modality is verbal language.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Michael Argenyi - Co-Presenter       Michael Argenyi is a student at Boston University working toward his Masters in Social Work/Masters in Public Health Interesting fact: Michael once played with a very friendly elephant named Somying in the Kwai river near Bangkok.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Alyssa Romano - Co-Presenter       Alyssa has attended the American School for the Deaf, Maryland School for the Deaf, then California School for the Deaf, Fremont then Gallaudet University. She is studying English with a minor in Communication Studies Alyssa cannot hear or speak at all. She says that she doesn't even jump if a squad car drives past by her with their siren on. American Sign Language is her communication modality.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Natalie Delgado - Co-Presenter       Natalie attended Louisiana State University for two years and then transferred to Gallaudet University, where she is now a senior. She is studying psychology and plans to continue her academic career to get her master's degree. Her goal is to work in early intervention or with deaf and hard-of-hearing children in a preschool. Natalie grew up speaking and lipreading, and still uses those tools today, but she learned American Sign Langauge about two and a half years ago and she prefers others to use that with her. She may be deaf, but she has sung in several different choirs, performed many piano recitals, and was accepted into a pre-professional dance school! Natalie fully believes that being deaf is not a hindrance in her life.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Bregitt Jimenez - Co-Presenter       Bregitt attended the Alexander Graham Bell Elementary, Illinois School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University. She is working toward receiving a Master of Social Work degree. One interesting fact about Bregitt is that even though she is just 5'3, she is the tallest member of her family. American Sign Language is her primary communication modality.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Marshall Harris - Co-Presenter       Marshall has attended schools in North Carolina and now attends Gallaudet University. He is majoring in Physical Education. Marshall can talk and knows American Sign Language. Gallaudet is the first school he's attended that uses ASL. He uses American Sign Language and spoken English as modes of communication.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -