2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 1:55 PM - 2:25 PM | Setting the Foundation: Promoting Mental Health in DHH Children from Diagnosis | 320
Setting the Foundation: Promoting Mental Health in DHH Children from Diagnosis
Deaf and hard of hearing children are at increased risk of developing mental health problems, with some studies showing that they are as much as four times more likely to experience mental health problems than children with typical hearing. On top of that, DHH children who experience mental health problems are often misdiagnosed or receive poor quality mental health services, with treatment lasting up to three times longer than it does for children with typical hearing. Research shows that a child’s mental health can begin to be impacted by their hearing status as soon as their parents receive the diagnosis. The impact of these issues can, and often does, span the course of a person’s life.
This presentation highlights existing research into the mental health of deaf children, including factors that both help and hurt their mental health and treatment. Notably, the way that a hearing diagnosis is presented to a family and the impacts of the earliest information shared are explored. Through the dual perspective of a professional social worker and Deaf+ parent, the presenter will explore ways to work with families in the early days that can set a child up for success in their mental health throughout their lifespan.
- Participants will recognize how a parent’s views on deafness, hearing status, and communication can impact their child’s mental health very early in life.
- Participants will familiarize themselves with the medical and social models of deafness/disability and the ways each approach can impact the mental health of young DHH children.
- Participants will leave with strategies to help promote healthy social and emotional development in DHH children from an early age.
Presentation:
3545975_18248AmyKeslinke.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Amy Keslinke
(Primary Presenter), Illinois Hands and Voices, amy.keslinke@ilhandsandvoices.com;
Amy Keslinke is an educator with experience teaching students from third grade into adulthood. When she learned during her second pregnancy that her son would be born with a congenital heart defect, she knew her life as a parent would be different than she expected. When he was diagnosed with severe-to-profound hearing loss at six months old and continued to pile on multiple other medical diagnoses before his first birthday, Amy’s passion for writing and teaching morphed into a special interest in empowering parents of children who are deaf with disabilities. Amy has presented at the state and national level and is a president of the Illinois Hands and Voices Board of Directors, providing unbiased support to parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing, many of whom have additional disabilities as well. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the Adult Basic/Secondary Education program at Elgin Community College in Elgin, Illinois, and is working toward her masters degree in social work. She lives in Gilberts, Illinois, with her husband, Dan, and children, Emerie and Evan.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Other financial benefit for Board membership from Illinois Hands and Voices Guide By Your Side.
Nonfinancial -
• Has a Personal,Professional,Personal interest
(Board President)
(Board President)
(Board President)
relationship for Board membership.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Illinois Hands and Voices.
Nature: Board of Directors volunteer.
Nonfinancial -
Non-Financial relationship with Illinois Hands and Voices.
Nature: Board of Directors volunteer.