2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/11/2025 | 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM | Micro-Mentoring in Early Intervention | 315/316
Micro-Mentoring in Early Intervention
Multiple studies suggest that mentoring for children who have hearing loss, and their families has positive impacts. Moeller et al. (2013) contend that families that are connected with supports systems that include mentors are better equipped to make informed decisions about their child’s hearing loss journey. EHDI along with many partners organizations such as Hands and Voices have made strides in many states by providing access for these families to deaf adult role model programs. However, can we do more to provide support at the clinic level? The University of Miami Children’s Hearing Program found that parents often want to speak with other families or older deaf/hard of hearing children in their area to help them understand potential challenges and outcomes when their children have hearing loss. As a clinic we would do our best to connect families but one deaf teenager decided a better system was needed. The high schooler with the support of the educational specialist at the clinic, began to look at an idea of short-term mentoring at the clinic level, a “micro” project. The goal was to connect clinic families in early intervention with deaf or hard of hearing young adults. A simple system was set-up to gather information on the family that considered communication style, amplification choices, and family background then match them with an appropriate mentor. A group of young adult deaf and hard of hearing volunteer mentors was established, who committed to short-term mentoring that included time spent answering a family’s questions about their hearing loss journey. The response from both the volunteers and families has been overwhelming positive and families are beginning to understand the importance of building relationships with other deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
- Participants will understand the importance of mentors in early intervention.
- Participants will identify strategies for connecting families at the clinic level.
- Participants will discover how micro-mentoring can enhance their family support.
Presentation:
3545975_18296AlexandriaMestres.pdf
Handouts:
3545975_18296AlexandriaMestres.pdf
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Alexandria Mestres
(Primary Presenter), University of Miami Children's Hearing Program, asm120@med.miami.edu;
Alex Mestres, a Miami native, attended Flagler College where she received a degree in Education of the Hearing Impaired and Elementary Education. She holds a Master's Degree in Applied Learning Sciences from University of Miami. Alex also has a wide variety of experience and credentialing in early childhood. She has worked in the private sector as an administrator, professional development trainer, and consultant. More recently she served as the department chairperson for Deaf and Hard of Hearing services with Miami Dade County Public School. While with the county she oversaw the itinerant teacher program and provided technical assistance to a wide variety of schools. Alex currently serves as a consultant and provides all deaf and hard of hearing services for Academica Charter Schools as well as Charter Schools USA. Along with those responsibilities, she is the educational specialist at the University Miami's Children's Hearing Program where she provides educational support for families of children with hearing loss.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Academica Charter schools, Charter Schools USA, and True North Charter Schools.
Nature: AGBell Florida Board member, AGBell financial aid review committee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Theo Valles-Picon
(Author), University of Miami Children's Hearing Program, alexmestres19@gmail.com;
Theo Valles-Picon is a deaf high school student. Theo was a hearing aid user for many years but over time his hearing loss progressed. He now wears bilateral cochlear implants. Theo is an extremely successful high school senior at a top private school in Miami. He carries a 4.2 GPA and has participated in rowing and water polo. Theo has also participated in multiple programs to support advocacy and awareness of hearing loss including LOFT and the World Hearing Congress. He is a Miami native and lives with his mom and sister.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -