2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 17-19, 2024 • Denver, CO
Are We Having Fun Yet? Giving Our Children the Freedom to Play
Social communication development, pragmatic skills, play checklists, and assessments are frequently incorporated into early intervention to work towards optimal outcomes for children who are deaf/hard of hearing. These tools are valuable components of a professional’s skill set and can provide structure and evaluative measures of progress. At the same time, the simple gift of play in everyday life may get lost in the process.
Families benefit from working with early intervention providers who encourage everyday play and can explain its impact on language, relationships, developmental skills, and independence. This plenary session will provide examples of memorable activities that brought laughter and joy while being influential in the positive growth of deaf/hard of hearing adults.
Keywords:
Social-emotional, relationships, communication, language, parenting, play, independence
Presenter: Stephanie Olson
Stephanie Olson, B.A., is the Family Consultant for the Bill Daniels Center for Children’s Hearing at Children’s Hospital, Colorado. Stephanie has been in this position for 18 years and serves as a liaison between families and the audiology health care system. Previously she worked with families and children from birth to three through the Colorado Home Intervention Program and for Hands and Voices Headquarters. Stephanie has traveled to Northern China, London, South Africa, Brazil and New Zealand and St. Petersburg, Russia, and FCEI Austria- Family Centered Early Intervention in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2022. Stephanie’s passion is to increase the understanding and impact of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the parenting journey and with the professionals who work with those families. Stephanie was identified deaf/hard of hearing at the age of three and brings a variety of perspectives into her work and presentations.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Children's Hospital Colorado.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.