2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
3/17/2026 | 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM | Build It and They Will Come: The Toddler Space | City Terrace 11
Build It and They Will Come: The Toddler Space
We all know that Deafness/Hearing loss is a low incidence population. We also realize that it takes a village to support our infants/toddlers and their families. When families are geographically distant from supports and services, other families and the Deaf community, this can present a significant challenge. The Scranton School's Choices for Children Early Intervention programs serves children and their families in the northeast region of Pennsylvania. We recognize that our families face obstacles and wanted to create a program that brings families, services and the community together closer to home - Introducing The Toddler Space!
The Toddler Space began as a weekly playgroup for infant/toddlers and their families. A place where learning and sharing happens. A place where support is all around. Led by a teacher of the Deaf, language is shared, skills are reinforced and gains are made - all woven together during play.
Very quickly, we saw the value in families connecting with families and the Deaf community. We expanded our "guest readers" to include Service Coordinators, community stakeholders and Deaf community members. Our children might meet their Service Coordinator and build towers, share a song with their audiologist, watch an ASL story with a Deaf community member. This has built a larger village and strengthened connections between families and their EI team. Come and see what we do and how you can do the same in your area. It really is as simple as A -B -C. A-Access to language. B- a place to belong. C - commitment to our youngest learners by the community. The Toddler Space has become our "Field of Dreams" with so many people coming together and sharing their time and talents to enhance the journey of our "littles" and their families.
- Participants will identify opportunities to engage with the families of children with hearing loss.
- Participants will identify the possible opportunities to engage Service Coordinators and the Deaf Community.
- Participants will identify opportunities for community stakeholders to successfully interact with children with hearing loss and their caregivers.
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Viktoriya Vasylynka
(Co-Presenter), SSDHHC, vika_tesoro@yahoo.com;
Viktoriya Vasylynka is a native of Ukraine. She holds a Masters degree in Mathematics from the Uzhgorod National University and has been a teacher of computer science for children grade 2-11 in Ukraine. She has an interest in curriculum development and online learning tools. Since coming to the United States, Ms Vasylynka has developed an interest in ASL and enjoys supporting families learning a new language. In her free time, she enjoys reading, outdoor activities and sports with her husband and two sons.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Tara Nikou
(Co-Presenter), 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 exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Western PA School for the Deaf.
Nature: salary.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
MARY ANN STEFKO
(Primary Presenter), SSDHHC, mstefko@thescrantonschool.org;
MaryAnn Stefko is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelors degree in Communication Disorders and a Masters of Education in Counseling. She has been a teacher of the Deaf for over 30 years. Over the course of her career, Mary Ann has been a classroom teacher, school based therapist educational interpreter and mainstream coordinator. She has worked with children in a School for the Deaf as well as mainstream settings. MaryAnn is currently the Early Intervention therapist at the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Scranton, PA. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Scranton. Her passion is teaching/coaching children and families who are beginning their hearing loss journey.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.