2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
| Developing Parent Guidance Skills in MS-SLP Students Working with Families of Children Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Developing Parent Guidance Skills in MS-SLP Students Working with Families of Children Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
A key component of providing effective speech-language pathology (SLP) intervention for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH), specifically in the birth-to-five age range, is the inclusion of parent guidance. Early intervention is most successful when families are actively engaged and supported throughout their child’s journey. For children who are D/HH, this guidance is not only beneficial, but also essential to fostering listening and language acquisition.
Clinical educators face a dual challenge. They must prepare Master’s level SLP students to deliver evidence-based therapy while also equipping them with the skills to support and guide families while they are navigating the complexities of a hearing loss diagnosis. This requires a shift from a traditional clinical focus to a more family-centered approach that includes the parent/caregiver as a partner in the therapeutic process.
Developing MS-SLP students’ competence and confidence in parent guidance is critical, as it directly influences the quality-of-care families receive. These students, upon graduation, become professionals who shape the experiences of families in their communities. Their ability to provide meaningful support creates ripple effects that can enhance outcomes for children and their families. When students are clinically trained to integrate parent guidance into intervention, families feel empowered, and the therapeutic relationship becomes a foundation for lifelong communication success.
This presentation will explore several successful strategies and educational models used to train MS-SLP students in providing effective family guidance. A variety of resources will be reviewed to demonstrate how students can be taught to engage families. This list will also be useful for interventionists.
- Participants will describe specific strategies for teaching MS-SLP students how to provide effective family guidance during therapy sessions for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH).
- Participants will discover a variety of family support and guidance resources applicable to babies, toddlers, and preschool-aged children who are D/HH.
- Participants will identify the importance of MS-SLP students meeting relevant ASHA Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) standards related to family-centered communication, support, and guidance.
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
View Handout File
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Emily Noss
(Author,Co-Author), University of Tennessee Health Science Center, eclark1@uthsc.edu;
Emily Noss is an Associate Professor in Speech-Language Pathology at The University of Tennessee, Health Science Center in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Emily practices in the Aural Re/Habilitation Clinic in Knoxville. She specializes in pediatric Aural Habilitation for children who use cochlear implants and hearing aids, aural/oral communication assessments, pre- and post-cochlear implant evaluations, parent guidance and education, adult cochlear implant auditory training, and Alternative/augmentative communication.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Ashley Irick
(Primary Presenter), University of Tennessee, Knoxville, ayoung12@uthsc.edu;
Ashley Irick is an Associate Professor in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Ashley practices in the Aural Re/Habilitation clinic in Knoxville. She specializes in pediatric Aural Habilitation for children who use hearing aids and cochlear implants, aural/oral communication assessments, pre- and post-cochlear implant evaluations, family guidance and education, adult cochlear implant auditory training, and auditory processing disorders.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Nature: Salary for employment.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Autumn Sanderson
(Co-Presenter), UTHSC, amajor@uthsc.edu;
Autumn Sanderson is an Associate Professor in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Autumn practices in the Aural Re/Habilitation clinic in Knoxville, TN. She specializes in pediatric Aural Habilitation for children who use hearing aids and cochlear implants, aural/oral communication assessments, pre- and post-cochlear implant evaluations, family guidance and education, adult cochlear implant auditory training, and auditory processing disorders.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from UTHSC.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with UTHSC.
Nature: Salary.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.