2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 3:10 PM - 3:40 PM | The Family Journey - Supporting Reflection in Early Intervention | 321
The Family Journey - Supporting Reflection in Early Intervention
Abstract:
The impact of relationships has become the core of early intervention. This includes relationships between parent and early interventionist, as well as parent and child. Reflective consultation supports the work of interventionists by fostering reflective discussions and facilitating a greater understanding of the impact of interactions and emotions in their work with families. Early intervention home-visiting practices have shifted to a consultation model where caregivers are supported in facilitating their child’s engagement in the routine activities of their everyday life. Early on in their early intervention journey, parents of children who are Deaf or hard of hearing are often faced with the challenge of beginning this process by choosing a form of communication for their child within weeks of learning their baby is Deaf or hard of hearing. During this critical time in a family's journey they can benefit from support and information given in a way that supports families in reflecting on their process, their initial decisions made, while focusing on supporting the family's attachment with their new baby. Families are often rushed through the decision making process without a lot of information and in a manner that is not family-centered. In this session strategies will be shared for supporting family reflection and empowerment throughout their early intervention process. Strategies for increasing parent engagement by using reflective practices will also be shared. Both professional and parent perspectives will be shared.
- Participants will be able to identify three ways in which to support families in reflecting on their exploration of language and communication opportunities.
- Participants will be able to identify three ways to empower parents in the journey of early intervention.
- Participants will be able to identify three ways early interventionists can follow the family's lead in supporting family outcomes.
Presentation:
3545975_18274KarenHopkins.pdf
Handouts:
3545975_18274KarenHopkins.pdf
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Karen Hopkins
(Primary Presenter,Author), Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, karenhopkins@cccbsd.org;
Dr. Karen Hopkins is the Executive Director of The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf.. She brings over 30 years of experience as a collaborative teacher of the deaf, special educator, early interventionist and educational administrator to her work with Deaf and hard of hearing children. Her work with families, coupled with her own personal experience as a Deaf adult and parent of a daughter who is hard of hearing have inspired her to create systems that empower families. Karen oversees early intervention and statewide educational programming for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing birth to age 22 at CCCBSD. She is active in many organizations and boards, the Hands & Voices HQ Board of Directors and is involved with international FCEI programming including the Deaf Leadership International Alliance. Karen is the Board President of Hands & Voices Headquarters. Karen's current research is focused on perspectives of family empowerment in early intervention systems for Deaf and hard of hearing children.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with CCCBSD.
Nature: Executive Director.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Robin Hough
(Co-Presenter), The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, robinhough@cccbsd.org;
Robin Hough is coordinator for the Parent Infant Program at the Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf. She has worked in Early Intervention for the past 10 years. Prior to that, she worked as a special education teacher in a variety of settings serving hearing and Deaf/HH children. Some of those experiences include classroom teacher, residential director, camp director and group home
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.
Evemarie Davis
(Co-Presenter), The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, edavis@cccbsd.org;
Evemarie Davis has been working in the DHH field for over 25 years. She has a master's degree in Deaf Education and recently earned a Graduate Certificate in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants, Toddlers and Families: Collaboration and Leadership from Gallaudet University. Prior to my current position at CCCBSD, I worked in Early Intervention for 10 years.
I love working with families and guiding them on their DHH journey.
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.
Emily Davis
(Co-Presenter), Children's Center for Communication, egkrull@gmail.com;
Emily is a parent of a deaf child in the preschool at The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Alexandra Arnow
(Co-Presenter), The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, alexandra.arnow@gmail.com;
Alexandra is the mother of a child in the preschool program at the Children's Center for Communication/Bevelry School for the Deaf
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -