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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'An Interdisciplinary and Bilingual Approach to Early Intervention and Education for Young Children with Hearing Loss' Track: 3 - Language Acquisition and Development Keyword(s): Interdisciplinary, Bilingual, Speech, American Sign Language Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to identify the differences between speech, listening, language and communication. Participants will be able to discuss the varying roles that sign language can play in a child’s life and how it may vary throughout their development. Participants will be able to discuss the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among all of the medical, educational and early intervention specialists on the child’s team. Abstract: When a child is diagnosed with a hearing loss, the family faces multiple decisions. Early intervention and exposure to language are critical for language and cognitive development. Having access to American Sign Language allows children the opportunity to develop language milestones similar to those of their hearing peers. A team approach to early intervention and early access to language is crucial for child development. Collaboration among specialists including deaf early childhood teachers, speech-language pathologists, parent liaisons, doctors, audiologists, and early intervention professionals is essential for the development of the child and the parents’ understanding of his/her needs. As children receive hearing aids and/or cochlear implants and listening skills and spoken language development become a goal, ASL and a bilingual approach to intervention and education remain very important. Many children are successful developing skills in both modalities building upon their foundational language skills established in ASL. This presentation will discuss an interdisciplinary and bilingual approach to early intervention and early education for children with hearing loss and their families. The discussion will include the difference between speech, listening, language and communication and why access to a visual language is important for development of all of these skills. 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
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Nicole Salamy - POC,Primary Presenter The Learning Center for the Deaf      Credentials: M.S., CCC-SLP       Nicole Salamy graduated with a Master of Science degree from Boston University. She has been a speech-language pathologist at The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, MA for 14 years. Currently, Nicole is also the Support Services Coordinator working with a team of clinicians including speech-language pathologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists. Nicole's experience includes working with a variety of children with hearing loss, some who have hearing aids and cochlear implants and others who do not. Her clinical work also includes working with children who have apraxia of speech, cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder. She has enjoyed presenting at a variety of conferences throughout the country.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.