2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/11/2025 | 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Utilizing an Online Interactive Tool in the Process of Exploring Language and Communication Opportunities (ELCO) with Families | 306/307
Utilizing an Online Interactive Tool in the Process of Exploring Language and Communication Opportunities (ELCO) with Families
Maine’s unique process of supporting families of young deaf and hard of hearing children through the journey of exploring language and communication opportunities continues to evolve to best meet the needs of the families it seeks to support. Empowering families, this process encourages early interaction, discussion, questioning, and informed decision-making with a family-centered early intervention focus that pivots when needed throughout the family experience. Comprehensive, consistent, and reliable information has been at the forefront of the development of this process. Maine’s EHDI team has developed an interactive Exploring Language and Communication Opportunities (ELCO) overview that aids in ensuring families have a place to explore and share accurate information with their partners and other active members of their family system. Come learn about our interactive overview that aids interventionists in sharing comprehensive and consistent information statewide and allows families to revisit information independently.
- Participants will recognize the benefits of utilizing an interactive online tool for exploring language and communication opportunities.
- Participants will identify three ways families could use this tool during their language planning journey.
- Participants will determine ways this interactive tool could benefit their state's language and communication planning approach.
Presentation:
3545975_18152AmySpencer.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Amy Spencer
(Primary Presenter), Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, amy.spencer@mecdhh.org;
Amy is the early intervention and family services coordinator at MECDHH/GBSD. She is a certified SLP and Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She serves on Maine’s EHDI Team as a member of the Earliest Interactions Maine/HRSA grant team under the Maine Newborn Hearing program. Additionally she is part of the Maine Interagency Coordinating Council that ensures collaboration between partners in the state serving children 0-3 and their families. As part of her Infant Toddler Family Leadership and Collaboration Certificate Program from Gallaudet, Amy began her work on the Exploring Language and Communication Opportunities process and it has continued to evolve throughout the last ten years. Amy lives in southern Maine exploring both the ocean and mountains regularly with her husband and two young daughters.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from MECDHH.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with MECDHH.
Nature: Paid employee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.