2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 1:55 PM - 2:55 PM | “Giving Deaf and Hard of Hearing Babies a REAL Start with Language” | Daytona
“Giving Deaf and Hard of Hearing Babies a REAL Start with Language”
This presentation focuses on the critical importance of early language acquisition for deaf and hard of hearing infants and toddlers. It introduces the Regional Early Acquisition Language (REAL) Project, a project that provides resources to these families and the professionals that serve them. This presentation will offer an overview of research, strategies for early language acquisition for deaf and hard of hearing toddlers, and a comprehensive toolkit of resources. The REAL Project aims to empower families with the knowledge and support needed to give their children a loving, communicative start.
- The participants will gain an overview of research emphasizing the critical importance of early language acquisition for deaf and hard of hearing infants and toddlers.
- The participants will identify and apply strategies to promote early language acquisition in deaf and hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers.
- The participants will be able to utilize and provide families and professionals with a resource toolkit to comprehensively support the deaf/hard of hearing child's language-learning journey.
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
Laurel Maradik
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter), REAL South, AIDB, maradik.laurel@aidb.org;
Laurel Maradik is a passionate advocate for young children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, as well as their families and caretakers. With over 25 years of experience in Deaf education, she has served in a variety of roles including preschool teacher, Deaf mentor, elementary teacher, and ASL specialist/teacher. Laurel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and a Master's Degree in Family-Centered Early Childhood Education. In April 2025, she joined REAL South as a Trainer. Outside of work, Laurel enjoys cooking, painting, sewing, pottery, and taking sunset walks with her elderly dog.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Project South.
Nature: Salary.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Dakota DuBose
(Co-Presenter), Regional Acquisition of Language South Project, AIDB, dubose.dakota@aidb.org;
Dakota DuBose joined the REAL South team in August 2025, bringing valuable experience in Deaf education. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Deaf and Hard of Hearing PK-12 Education. She previously taught both elementary students and a Toddler Learning Class at a residential school for the deaf. This experience fuels her primary interest: advocating for and ensuring language access for children from birth to age 3. Outside of her professional commitment, Dakota enjoys baking, reading, building Lego sets, spending time with family and friends.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Project South
.
Nature: Salary.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.