Brain Builders Corner: Early Intervention

What do you know about the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education? What would you like to know about the Center and the CDHHE Network? Those questions were posed at each of the nine First Steps System Point of Entry (SPOE) meetings by CDHHE Network Administrators Michelle Coleman, Cindy Lawrence and Kelli Lynch. For information about the First Steps Clusters, visit https://secure.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/5495.htm. From the perspective of a provider agency serving the entire state of Indiana, we felt that each SPOE had a distinct personality, with questions and issues unique to that area.

We have compiled a list of the most common questions and answers from our meetings with each cluster, our “2018 SPOE Roadshow.” We also enjoyed the scenery and local lunch spots we would never have experienced if we didn’t travel to these areas. Hoosier hospitality is alive and well throughout our great state!

FAQs:
Q: How do we help families understand why services are beneficial when a) a family doesn’t see the need; b) a pediatrician says services are not needed; c) the family is overwhelmed?
A: Listen carefully to what the family understands or does not understand about the child’s hearing levels. Our specialists are trained to explain audiograms, test results and the impact on language. Some families may need minimal assistance under-standing and navigating their child’s needs, and some may require more time and information.

We work collaboratively with the Early Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program, and if you are aware of professionals who dismiss the hearing results, the EHDI coordinator can follow up with further education.

Sometimes families have other overarching needs, and we can provide printed information, and resources that would meet the individual needs of the family. Services can be added at a later date when a family is ready. We are happy to talk with a family by phone to answer questions and/or explain services.

Q: What is the difference between Guide by Your Side (GBYS) and Parent Advisor (DT-PA)?
A: The GBYS program provides emotional support from parents of deaf or hard of hearing children and who have been trained to provide parent-to-parent support. The program is ad-ministered through the EHDI program rather than a First Steps early intervention service. Parent Advisors are early intervention specialists credentialed through First Steps and trained on the SKI-HI curriculum. They have professional backgrounds with degrees in deaf education, speech and language, or other related fields. They provide education to parents regarding specialized resources as well as information on topics unique to raising a deaf or hard of hearing child, including strategies for communication and language development.

Q: What if the family works with another agency already?
A: The CDHHE Network only provides services specific to deaf and hard of hearing children. Often OT/PT and other services will be from another agency. An integrated family service plan (IFSP) can also have providers from two agencies, each working on unique goals.

Q: If a child is too young to speak or sign, why offer speech therapy (ST) or developmental therapy– deaf and hard of hearing (DT-DHH) or deaf mentor (DM)?
A: Children take in and are “listening” before birth and when they are born. Their brains make neural connections rapidly during the early years, and our specialists will show families how to make those connections through everyday routines, interacting, communicating and responding with their baby. Check out these resources on language development to see the importance of starting as early as possible to build language in the brain. 

https://www.babyhearing.org/language-learning or https://www.gallaudet.edu/clerc-center-sites/setting-language-in-motion.html

Q: Can you provide a basic one page sheet to help families understand why the CDHHE Network is important at intake?
A: Yes, this is in progress. The goal is to ensure families under-stand the need for and receive early specialized services.