2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/15/2026 | 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Interactions & Connections: Following a Child’s Lead in Conversation | St. Johns
Interactions & Connections: Following a Child’s Lead in Conversation
Connection isn't optional; it is the foundation for communication, learning, belonging, and joy. This two-hour instructional session explores how small, intentional moments can transform communication for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind across all ages and abilities. The session bridges research and practice by weaving together evidence-based approaches, such as copresence, serve and return, the interaction cycle, and rupture and repair, with real-life family and classroom experiences.
Early language acquisition occurs when children have responsive communication partners who notice and honor their communication attempts and respond in a mode the child can perceive and reciprocate. Recognizing these attempts often requires careful observation. Affirmation and contact provide positive feedback, encouraging the child to continue the interaction. This back-and-forth exchange is the heart of serve and return. Routine-based greetings and closing rituals support children’s understanding of the natural flow of conversations and social interactions. Beyond language acquisition, these interaction strategies also nurture infant and early childhood mental health.
The presentation incorporates family and professional perspectives, illustrated by storytelling and video examples. The extended format allows for a more interactive experience than a standard breakout session. Participants will actively analyze video examples, reflect on their own perceptions, and explore practical applications of these strategies through guided discussion and reflective questioning techniques.
- Identify the five steps for building quality interactions (Recognize, Contact, Serve & Return, Goodbye Ritual, End Contact) and explain their role in supporting communication and belonging.
- Recognize subtle communication attempts and demonstrate how to follow another’s lead and use the “serve and return” approach to strengthen communication in daily routines.
- Develop a plan to integrate these strategies into everyday interactions at home, work, or community settings.
Presentation:
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Handouts:
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Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Edgenie Bellah
(Author), Texas Deafblind Project, bellahe@tsbvi.edu;
Edgenie Bellah is the Family Engagement Coordinator with the Texas DeafBlind Project. With 38 years of experience across ages, abilities, and service settings, she is fueled by her family and friends living with disabilities. Their experiences fuel her passion for building community and advancing systems that support individuals with disabilities. She serves as Secretary for NFADB and on several state Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind boards, empowering families to shape education and services across the lifespan.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Hillary Keys
(Primary Presenter,Author), Texas Deafblind Project, keysh@tsbvi.edu;
Hillary Keys is the Early Childhood Deafblind Education Consultant for the Texas Deafblind Project. With over 30 years of experience in education, she has served as a classroom teacher, an itinerant TVI/TDB, and Deafblind Specialist at a regional and statewide level. A lifelong learner with a deep sense of curiosity, Hillary is especially focused on early childhood development, play, interaction strategies, and the Active Learning approach. She is passionate about creating opportunities for children with complex needs to connect, explore, and find moments of joy. Guided by the belief that every child can learn, Hillary is dedicated to helping families and educators discover meaningful ways for children to engage with and thrive in the world around them.
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.
Heather Lightfoot
(Author), Texas Deafblind Project, lightfooth@tsbvi.edu;
Heather “Hex” Lightfoot, COMS, joined the Texas Deafblind Project in 2023 as their transition consultant. An alumna of Gallaudet University and Texas Tech University, she holds a master’s degree in special education and a Deafblind graduate certificate from Texas Tech. Heather draws from both professional and personal insights as a certified orientation and mobility specialist, and as a Deaf mother of three transition-age individuals, including a Deaf adult and a DeafBlind teenager.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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