2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
DUKE ENERGY CONVENTION CENTER
Factors influencing caregivers’ communication method decision-making for DHH children
Advancements in early detection methods drastically increased the number of infants identified as deaf/hard-of-hearing (DHH). Now, within a child’s first year of life, caregivers are faced with decisions regarding their child’s communication method. These decisions are challenging, especially given that 90% of DHH children are born to hearing caregivers and thus, many caregivers are unfamiliar with communication methods for DHH children. Here, we characterize the information caregivers receive from professionals as well as child, family, and community factors that influence caregivers’ communication method decision-making.
The current study (R01DC016877) enrolled 105 caregiver-child dyads, including children (a) between 12-18 months of age, (b) with bilateral, congenital hearing loss, (c) with at least one parent with normal hearing, and (d) exposed to spoken language by their caregivers. 63.81% of children were exposed to sign language in addition to spoken language. Caregivers completed the “Making Decisions about Sign, Speech, and Multilingualism Survey” (Crowe et al., 2014).
Pediatricians (52.17%), audiologists (49.01%), and speech-language pathologists (64.62%) most frequently recommended using both spoken and sign language.
The child, family, and community factors most frequently rated as being “very important” in caregivers’ decision-making regarding spoken language were “My child’s future academic success” (96.20%), “I want my child to be able to speak with his/her siblings” (87.95%), and “Access to school education for children who use speech” (68.93%).
The child, family, and community factors most frequently rated as being “very important” in caregivers’ decision-making regarding sign language were “My child’s ability to form friendships and future relationships” (82.52%), “I want my child to be able to choose how to communicate when he/she is older” (78.00%), and “My access to signing classes” (47.00%).
By identifying factors influencing caregivers’ communication method decision-making, providers are better equipped to provide meaningful support and education to caregivers throughout the decision-making process.
- Describe communication method recommendations given to caregivers by providers.
- Identify child, family, and community factors influencing caregivers’ communication method decision-making regarding the use of spoken language.
- Identify child, family, and community factors influencing caregivers’ communication method decision-making regarding the use of sign language.
Poster:
3420032_15571MarandaJones.pdf
Presenter: Maranda Jones
As a graduate student, under the mentorship of Dr. Megan Roberts, I am pursuing my clinical certification in speech-language pathology and Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders to prepare for a career as a clinician-scientist. My emerging line of research relates to early diagnostic assessments and early interventions for children with communication disorders.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Megan Roberts, PhD, CCC-SLP, is the Jane Steiner Hoffman and Michael Hoffman Assistant Professor in the Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University. Her work focuses on family-centered early communication interventions for young children with language delays (children with hearing loss, autism, developmental language disorders). This clinically based line of research examines different variations of parent-implemented communication interventions tailored specifically for different populations of children with language delays. Her research has been funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and the Institute of Education Sciences. In addition to conducting research on family-centered interventions, she is also a licensed speech-language pathologist with IL early intervention credentials in both speech-language pathology and developmental therapy. She has over 10 years of experience working with infants and toddlers in early intervention.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -