| ABSTRACT INFORMATION |
| Presenter Information: |
| Presenter 1: |
Name: Henry Becker
Affiliation:
Henry Becker is the certification manager for the AG Bell Academy. In this capacity, he directs the Academy’s professional certification program for Listening and Spoken Language Specialists, which encompasses Auditory-Verbal Therapists® and Auditory-Verbal Educators®. Henry oversees test development, manages certification activities and administers the certification exam.
Henry's prior positions in the professional certification and educational assessment industry include experience as a program manager for Prometric, where he managed the certification programs for nurse aides and other assistive healthcare professionals. With a background that also includes extensive experience in test delivery and channel management, Henry brings a wealth of knowledge and ideas to expand and improve the Academy’s certification program.
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| Presenter 2: |
Name: Judy Harrison
Affiliation:
Judy is the Director of Programs at AG Bell. She is an experienced teacher of the deaf who has held a variety of professional positions within the field of hearing health. Judy has worked as an early interventionist with deaf and hard of hearing children and their families; as an educational consultant on two cochlear implant teams in New York City; and for a cochlear implant manufacturer. She was a member of the New Jersey Early Intervention Collaborative and worked with the New Jersey Department of Education to promote spoken language for deaf and hard of hearing students in public schools.
Judy has a Bachelors of Arts degree in speech pathology from Rutgers University and a Masters in education of the deaf from Gallaudet University. Her varied background and commitment to spoken language crosses barriers that typically exist among educators of the deaf.
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| Presenter 3: |
Name: Alexander T. Graham
Affiliation:
Alex Graham has 19 years of association management experience. Before joining AG Bell in October 2007, Alex served as the executive director for the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals—a professional association serving 3,400 individuals. His prior association positions include director of political affairs, chief marketing officer, and associate executive director. Alex’s experience includes managing financial, human resource, and strategic planning programs as well as membership, marketing, government/public affairs, and conference development. In addition to earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia, Alex has earned a Masters of Science degree in organizational effectiveness and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.
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| Author Information: |
| Author 1: |
Name: Henry Becker
Affiliation: AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language
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| Abstract Information: |
| Title: |
Listening and Spoken Language Specialists |
| Primary Track: |
3-Early Intervention
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| Keyword(s): |
communication options |
Abstract: |
Listening and Spoken Language Specialists (LSLS) work with families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and have chosen to develop spoken language and literacy primarily through listening. LSLS professionals focus on education, guidance, advocacy, family support, and the rigorous application of techniques, strategies, and procedures that promote optimal acquisition of spoken language through listening by newborns, infants, toddlers, and children who are deaf or hard of hearing. LSLS professionals guide parents in helping their children develop intelligible spoken language through listening and coach them in advocating their children’s inclusion in the mainstream school. The two main Listening and Spoken Language approaches, historically, have been the Auditory-Verbal Approach (AV) and the Auditory-Oral Approach (A-O). Today, as a result of advances in newborn hearing screening, hearing technologies, early intervention programs and the knowledge and skills of professionals, these two approaches have more similarities than differences and they lead to similar outcomes.
This session will define the role a LSLS professional plays in the early intervention system for families who choose spoken language outcomes. Participants will gain an understanding of the LSLS certification program and how it will assist them in identifying highly qualified professionals to provide services to families seeking that expertise.
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| Presentation(s): |
Not Available
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| Handouts: |
Not Available
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