2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/11/2025 | 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM | Creating Connections for D/HH Children with All Modalities | 321
Creating Connections for D/HH Children with All Modalities
Parents and caregivers of deaf or hard of hearing babies and young children seek opportunities to connect with older deaf or hard of hearing children and adults. The older children can ease parents’ fears and share positive life experiences, giving parents a fuller picture of what it is like to navigate everyday challenges with hearing loss. With more than 75% of PreK-12 deaf or hard of hearing children learning in mainstream education environments (Raising and Educating Deaf Kids, 2014) whether it is in-person or remote learning, it is critical to have a support system, including deaf or hard of hearing role models, during the child’s formative years.
Boston Children’s Hospital Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program (DHHP) has an outreach and services component for children between ages 0-22, including workshops on transitioning from early intervention to preschool, parent support groups, and family-centered events. Through the outreach component, a group of deaf or hard of hearing middle school students learn how to become role models through a leadership program, learn about their leadership qualities and abilities, identify ways they can be of support for young children and their families, and putting forth their ideas with family-friendly activities on larger and smaller scales.
During our presentation, we will discuss the importance of belonging for young D/HH children, how young children benefit from having older students as role models, how to create these opportunities based on our experiences, and what the outcome is for everyone involved. The presentation will include parent testimonials.
- Define the types of support young children and families need during their formative years
- Define the scope and impact that role models have on young children and families
- Demonstrate activities that teen role models are able to provide for younger children
Presentation:
3545975_18091KatiePrins McCarthy.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Katie Prins McCarthy
(Primary Presenter), Boston Children's Hospital, katie.mccarthy@childrens.harvard.edu;
Katie McCarthy is the Outreach and Support Services Coordinator for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at Boston Children's Hospital. She oversees family-centered events, educational training needs, parent workshops and program development needs. Katie has been involved in the human services and healthcare sectors for over twenty years, first in marketing and management and currently in outreach and accessibility.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Boston Children's Hospital.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Boston Children's Hospital.
Nature: Employee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Charlotte Mullen
(Co-Presenter), Boston Children's Hospital, charlotte.mullen@childrens.harvard.edu;
Charlotte Mullen, AuD is the primary pediatric audiologist for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program and Specialty Audiologist for Education and Training for the audiology program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She founded the Sound Outreach to Schools educational audiology program. Dr. Mullen has given numerous presentations to professional and parent groups. Her clinical work initially identified an increased incidence in hearing loss among children treated by extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Working closely with the Developmental Medicine Program, Dr. Mullen developed a clinical practice guideline for audiological monitoring which led to incorporation into the 2007 Joint Committee on Infant Hearing recommendations. Dr. Mullen is a founding member of the Audiology Clinical Education Network. She also coordinates the Virtual Pediatric Audiology meetings which provides a large forum for learning and discussing issues pertaining to pediatric practice.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Boston Children's Hospital.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Boston Children's Hospital.
Nature: Employee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Kellye Greer
(Co-Presenter), Boston Children's Hospital, kellye.greer@childrens.harvard.edu;
Kellye Greer, M.Ed., is a Family Connections Specialist for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is a former elementary educator and literacy teacher coach with a specialization in English Language Development for multilingual learners. Kellye is also the parent of a Deaf child. She assists in planning and facilitating family-centered outreach events, as well as planning parent workshops and revising and creating helpful resources for families.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.