2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/11/2025 | 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Kansas’ Language Assessment Program: Deaf/Hard of Hearing (LAP-DHH): An Update on Our Progress | 306/307
Kansas’ Language Assessment Program: Deaf/Hard of Hearing (LAP-DHH): An Update on Our Progress
Since the LEAD-K law passed in 2016, the Kansas School for the Deaf has been tasked with phasing in the Language Assessment Program-Deaf/Hard of Hearing (LAP-DHH) which assesses, monitors, and tracks the language development of all children who are deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) ages birth through eight in ASL and/or English in the state of Kansas. LAP-DHH has developed a protocol for assessments in both ASL and English that includes a unique ASL and English milestones document designed specifically to track and monitor language development. In collaboration with its research partners, LAP-DHH has already begun identifying gaps and patterns in language outcomes for both ASL and English. Preliminary data has already supported improved services and supports for children on an individual level as well as identified state and system level needs. Future research ideas are being developed and have the potential to continue to drive intervention and improve outcomes for DHH children. This presentation will update participants on the “state of the state” for our language assessments in Kansas. We will share our current process for assessments, outcome data from those assessments, and current research areas.
- Participants will be able to describe the language assessment process for both ASL and English.
- Participants will be able to identify outcome data related to the language assessments for both ASL and English.
- Participants will be able to identify next steps in our research that will advance the work of language development for children who are deaf/hard of hearing.
Presentation:
3545975_18245ErinSchuweiler.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Erin Schuweiler
(Primary Presenter), Kansas School for the Deaf, eschuweiler@kssdb.org;
Erin Schuweiler, M.S., Ed. is the Sound START (Birth-Three) Coordinator at the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD). She is also a Language Assessment Program-Deaf/Hard of Hearing (LAP-DHH) specialist. Erin has worked at KSD for 22 years, 2 years as a preschool teacher and 20 years in birth to three. Erin provides services and resources to service providers and families who have children ages birth to three who are deaf and hard of hearing throughout the state of Kansas. Erin graduated from the University of Kansas with a master’s degree in Early Childhood Deaf Education and Early Childhood Special Education.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with .
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Twila Latini
(Co-Presenter), Kansas School for the Deaf, tlatini@kssdb.org;
Twila Latini, M.A., is a Sound START Specialist (birth-three) & Deaf Mentor Program Consultant for the Kansas School for the Deaf since summer of 2017. Twila is also a Language Assessment Program-Deaf/Hard of Hearing (LAP-DHH) specialist. Twila is currently a Vice President Board Member for Kansas Division of Early Childhood (KDEC) and recognized as a Nationally Certified ASL Assessor/Trainer. Twila worked at the Arizona School for the Deaf & Blind (Tucson) for six years as an elementary bilingual teacher teaching kindergarten & 1st grade. She received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (2008) and her master’s degree in Deaf Education at Gallaudet University (2011).
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.