2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
| The Communication Plan: A Tool for Establishing Partnership Between the Family and Audiology in Early Intervention
The Communication Plan: A Tool for Establishing Partnership Between the Family and Audiology in Early Intervention
The Communication Plan is an essential, mandated component of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to facilitate effective communication for school-age students who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing/Deaf-Blind (D/HH/DB). The primary purpose of the Communication Plan is to establish a discussion among IEP team members in relation to a student’s communication skills, access, and needs. Specifically, it addresses language and communication needs, various communication modalities, opportunities for direct communication and progress, assistive technology, devices, and services. The Communication Plan should be used to complete all sections of the IEP, including accommodations, appropriate specially designed instruction, and IEP goals. While not mandatory in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), the Communication Plan proves to be beneficial in Early Intervention (EI) settings. Practitioners are encouraged to use this plan to tailor IEP or IFSP services and goals to promote effective communication based on the unique needs of every child. This poster will review the Pennsylvania Communication Plan and describe ways in which this plan can be used to address the communication needs of D/HH/DB children in EI and educational settings, thus facilitating achievement of both IEP and IFSP goals. Participants will gain insights into resources developed by the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), empowering them to apply these tools in their professional practice.
- Participants will be able to explain the importance and usage of the Communication Plan in early intervention
- Participants will be able to describe the components of the Communication Plan and how/when/by whom it is to be completed
- Participants will be able to list ways that audiologists can partner, collaborate, and team with educational professionals, families, and students in preparation for school entry
Presentation:
3478265_16548ShelbySydenstricker.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Shelby Sydenstricker
(Primary Presenter), ses291@pitt.edu;
Shelby Sydenstricker is a third-year Doctor of Audiology student and current LEND trainee at the University of Pittsburgh.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Madeline Sutter
(Co-Presenter), University of Pittsburgh, mas969@pitt.edu;
Madeline Sutter is a third-year Doctor of Audiology student and former LEND trainee at the University of Pittsburgh.
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Katherine Bart
(Co-Presenter), kab489@pitt.edu;
Katherine Bart is a third-year Doctor of Audiology student and current LEND trainee at the University of Pittsburgh.
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Jennifer Craig
(Author), Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, jcraig@wpsd.org;
Jennifer Craig has dedicated the majority of her professional career to The Western PA School for the Deaf (WPSD), where she initially served as the Educational Audiologist and Outreach and Parent-Infant Coordinator. Additionally, she was a clinical supervisor and part-time professor at the University of Pittsburgh, where she taught courses in Audiology Assessment, Educational Audiology, and Anatomy and Physiology of Hearing.
For the last five years, Jennifer served as an Educational Consultant for the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), focusing on initiatives related to Deaf and Hard of Hearing education, Deaf-Blind services, secondary transition, and assistive technology. Recently, she rejoined the WPSD team as the Director of Student Life, overseeing the residential program, health center, after-school activities, early intervention, and athletics.
Jennifer's academic journey began and flourished at the University of Pittsburgh, guiding her toward a career in hearing health and deaf education. Her professional goals center on ensuring that children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing achieve outcomes comparable to their hearing peers, promoting communication access, fostering seamless collaboration between clinical and educational settings, and enhancing family involvement in the process.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
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Erin Campion
(Author), Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), ecampion@pattan.net;
Erin Campion, M.Ed. is the Parent Coordinator for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Initiative at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) Central office and an office lead on the Family Engagement Initiative. Prior to joining PaTTAN, Erin was a classroom teacher for almost 20 years, teaching students from preschool through college. She has a Masters in Education from Regent University. She has served on several statewide advisory boards and published writings within deaf education and the field of disabilities. She is a happily married mother of four: two deaf/two hearing, two boys/two girls, and all with outstanding personalities!
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Nicole Corbin
(Author), Association of Public Health Laboratories, nec61@pitt.edu;
Nicole Corbin is a Scientist and the Director of the Pediatric Binaural Integration Lab at Boys Town National Research Hospital. The goal of her lab is to understand how children who are deaf/hard-of-hearing in one ear learn to navigate complex listening environments and optimize auditory input to support their academic, communication, and social-emotional development. Prior to joining Boys Town National Research Hospital, she was an Assistant Professor and the Co-Investigator of a Pediatric Audiology Competitive Supplement to the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) program at the University of Pittsburgh.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.