2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/11/2025 | 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Early Intervention Virtually? An Option For Consideration | 319
Early Intervention Virtually? An Option For Consideration
The idea of virtual learning brings back reminders of learning gaps for students that happened throughout the pandemic. However, there have been some positive outcomes that have developed in the use of tele-health and virtual education as a result of the pandemic. These two things, when delivered appropriately can give families access to information and professionals that they may not have had in the past. This is especially true for virtual education and early intervention.A growing teacher shortage has put deaf and hard of hearing at a disadvantage by not giving them access to qualified professionals including early interventionist (Lennihan, 2010). Could virtual interventions be an answer to this challenge? Studies have shown that positive outcomes can come from virtual learning though most studies would agree that what is lacking is “best practices”(Rice 2006). This session will demonstrate the skills that can be taught and strategies used to directly support young children in areas such as auditory skills, vocabulary development, and self-advocacy through virtual access. It will also should how using the virtual platform can provide families with information and coaching to support their and provide professional development for early childhood educators who are finding more deaf and hard of hearing children in their classrooms., There is potential to create a proactive model of best practice that would help ensure the success of deaf and a hard of hearing children in early intervention while answering growing needs in the profession. Virtual education has a place in filling the important connection between families and professionals.
- Participants will identify challenges in D/HH early intervention.
- Participant will discover strategies used to deliver early intervention skills on the virtual platform.
- Participants will discuss benefits of using virtual education in early intervention.
Presentation:
3545975_18300AlexandriaMestres.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
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.