EARLY HEARING DETECTION AND INTERVENTION VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
MARCH 2-5, 2021
(Virtually the same conference, without elevators, airplane tickets, or hotel room keys)
3/02/2021 | 3:15 PM - 3:35 PM | Support For The Journey: EHDI Collaboration Among The Experts | Topical Breakout
Support For The Journey: EHDI Collaboration Among The Experts
For families of infants with a hearing loss - life becomes a puzzle. The Choices for Children program at the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, in collaboration with the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and family members from throughout northeast PA have created a way to make certain that all of the pieces of the puzzle are readily available to families. Families can begin to create the picture they have always envisioned - a happy, healthy baby surrounded by a supportive, informed team of experts.
We have developed a program, Support For The Journey, which pairs Early Intervention families of children with a hearing loss with first and second year medical students to explore, in depth, what the initial diagnosis of hearing loss really means and how it impacts the family. Participants in the program learn about hearing loss, amplification and communication options and gain a respect and appreciation for the Deaf community. Led by a Deaf/Hearing instructional team, future physicians learn directly from families, about the diagnosis of hearing loss on the entire family at a time in their training where critical perceptions are formed. As families share their journey from diagnosis to amplification to Early Intervention services, it is our hope that children with a hearing loss find a medical home that can accurately address all of their needs. We anticipate that this information will be helpful to medical programs striving to strengthen medical/educational collaborations with families and the state EHDI programs. By sharing this model of collaboration among the experts, hearing loss will no longer be a diagnosis in a medical record or missing pieces of a puzzle but the face of a child and their family which will lead to better advocacy and more equitable care.
- Participants will define the components of an effective model of collaboration between physicians and families of children with hearing loss.
- Participants will identify ways that they can advocate for infants with a hearing loss and the services they receive within Early Intervention.
- Participants will explain how medical care becomes more equitable when physicians have participated in dedicated training on Deafness/hearing loss.
Presentation:
23278_13561Mary AnnStefko.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Mary Ann Stefko
(), Choices For Children, mstefko@thescrantonschool.org;
Mary Ann Stefko earned a master's of education in counselor education and a Bachelor of Science degree in communication disorders from Pennsylvania State University. In addition to 20 years teaching experience, she has extensive experience in educational interpreting. She has worked with deaf and hard-of-hearing children from the birth to high school levels in residential and mainstream educational settings. Mary Ann is an adjunct professor in the World Languages and Cultures Department at the University of Scranton and an instructor at the Geisinger School of Medicine. She is a frequent presenter at workshops and training programs related to deafness and hearing loss for parents, educators and the business community across Pennsylvania. Her passion is Early Intervention, focusing on providing instruction to children and coaching to families in the Infant Toddler program.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Michelle Zelei
(), Western PA School for the Deaf, mzelei@wpsd.org;
Michelle Zelei is a Teacher of the Deaf with over 15 years experience at the Western PA School for the Deaf. She hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University and a Masters degree from Edinboro University in Special Education. Shelley has experience in the elementary and middle school classroom. Shelley has found her passion and currently teaches preschool at the Children's Center at WPSD. Having a hearing loss since birth, Shelley is dedicated to sharing her life's journey with others and believes that through respect, understanding and collaboration successes are realized!
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Matthew Busch
(), Geisinger School of Medicine, mbusch@som.geisinger.edu;
Matthew Busch is a fourth year medical student at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton PA. Originally from Mahwah, New Jersey, Matt's interest in children and families began when he was completing his undergraduate education at the University of Scranton. Matthew graduated from the University of Scranton in 2017 with a double major in neuroscience and biomathematics, with minors in philosophy and biochemistry. Matthew is committed to continuing his involvement with the Deaf community as he grows to become a physician.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Kevin McDonough
(), The Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, kmcdonough@thescrantonschool.org;
Kevin McDonough is currently the Director of the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Clarks Summit, PA. He has been employed at the Western PA School for the Deaf (WPSD) in Pittsburgh, PA for the past nine years. He has served Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and families in several capacities across the country. Mr. McDonough has a bachelors and a masters degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and a Master's in Deaf Education from the University of Pittsburgh.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Lisa Lopatofsky
(), Family Connections for Language and Learning, lopatofsky.lisam@gmail.com;
Lisa Lopatofsky lives in rural Waymart, PA with her husband and three daughters. Her oldest two daughters have Usher Syndrome, Type 1b. Lisa is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Her bachelors degree is in Political Science. Lisa is a certified paralegal who currently spends her time as a full time Mom and advocate for her children. She is a Parent Guide with the Hands and Voices Guide By Your Side Program of PA. She is also a board member of the PA Partnership for the DeafBlind and a member of the Advisory Council for PA Deaf-Blind Project.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Johnine Bickauskas
(), Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, johninemail@gmail.com;
Johnine Bickauskas currently resides in Archbald, PA. with her husband Darryl and their two children Kayla,16 and Kase, 6. Johnine attended Penn State University and is employed by the state of PA. Johnine is active in many organizations including the NEPA Professional Learning Community, The PA Partnership for the Deafblind and the Ballet Theater of Scranton. Johnine is passionate about advocating for all children so that each can reach their full potential.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Tara Nikou
(), Choices For Children, tnikou@wpsd.org;
Since 2003, Tara has been working with D/HH children (birth to three) and their families as an Early Intervention Teacher and Program Coordinator of the Choices for Children program. Tara coaches families in their own homes to help understand their child’s hearing loss and shows best practices to prepare their child for language learning and the transition to pre-school. Tara also serves as Coordinator for the on-site Toddler Group program at WPSD. Prior to working at WPSD, Tara was a classroom teacher at Central North Carolina School for the Deaf and at Miller Elementary school in Pittsburgh, PA.
Tara Nikou received her Bachelor’s Degree in Deaf Education and Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Early Intervention.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.