Stepping Into the Unfamiliar:
Servicing Deaf Children In EI
Presented by Claire Lombardo-Miller, MS, CCC-SLP, NIC
Saturday, September 27, 2025
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Members: $10
Non-Members: $60
Description
Hearing loss is considered low incidence, but it is very possible that early intervention clinicians will work with a deaf child at some point in their career. Deaf children have a variety of audiological, linguistic, and family profiles, making each case unique in its own rite. However, most training programs offer little to no preparation in how to work with -- or even effectively and respectfully communicate with -- this population. So, what does one do if they do not have specialized training, yet a deaf child is assigned to their caseload?
This presentation will review basics of hearing loss, relevant terminology, technology options, and language use. It will also examine the behaviors of Deaf parents that foster rich language foundations, and provide practical ideas to prepare clinicians for effective home visits and collaboration with specialty service programs for the deaf.
Learner Objectives
- Establish understanding of basic identification, audiological, and tech information
- Dispel outdated tropes, buzzwords, and myths
- Identify strategies for maintaining eye gaze and stimulating language and connection during appropriate developmental activities
- Describe what timely and appropriate early intervention services for deaf and hard of hearing children looks like
- Outline approaches to successful partnerships between SSPs (specialty service programs) and EI agencies
- Develop a stock of resources for continued enrichment (for yourself and those you serve)
Time Ordered Agenda
10:00-10:05 Welcome and Introductions
10:05-10:15 From identification to EI enrollment: A primer
10:15-10:25 Experiencing deafness through simulations
10:25-10:35 Terminology and cultural sensitivity
10:35-10:55 Ending the cycle of bias and myths
10:55-11:15 SSP collaboration to prevent language deprivation
11:15-11:30 Techniques for effective visual connection
11:30-11:50 Resources – people, places, and things
11:50-12:00 Discussion/Questions
About the Presenter
Claire Lombardo-Miller, CCC-SLP, NIC, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and ASL-English Interpreter. She earned a BA in early childhood education at Smith College and an MS in speech-language pathology from Boston University. Since 2004, she has worked at The Learning Center for the Deaf as an SLP, early intervention provider, educator, and mentor, as well as a consultant to SLPs working with deaf children in public schools. Claire presents at state and national conferences in the field of Deaf-focused early intervention, linguistic bias, and bilingual-bimodal development. The Deaf community has been a beacon of her learning and personal and professional growth. Allyship and continued growth is at the center of her professional practice. Outside of work, Claire finds herself happiest with her family, in her garden, attending live music, and eating ice cream.
Financial Disclosure
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Speaker is receiving an honorarium for this webinar.
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Speaker maintains the intellectual property rights for the material presented.
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Speaker receives a salary from The Learning Center for the Deaf.
Non-Financial Disclosure
- Speaker serves on the Hands and Voices, MA Chapter Executive Board.
Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities:
We want to provide the best learning experience for everyone. In compliance of the ADA, should you require any accommodation to fully participate in this training, please contact theoffice@mshahearsay.org or call 781-314-9517.
Satisfactory Completion Requirements for ASHA CEUs
ASHA CEU’s will be awarded after active attendance at the entire presentation documented by log in/log out times, submission of a completed evaluation and submission of a completed assessment of learning. There is no partial credit. A link to the Assessment and Evaluation will be sent out following the program.
ASHA requires participation in the CEU Registry to receive CEUs. If you are not part of ASHA’s CEU Registry, the Certificate of Completion will serve as documentation for ASHA CMHs.
This program has been approved for ASHA CEUs- Beginner Level- .20 ASHA CEUs.
ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
If you have any questions, contact our office at 781-647-7031 or by email at theoffice@mshahearsay.org.
