2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
3/15/2026 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Implementing a Bilingual-Bimodal-Multimodal Early Childhood Program | Orlando
Implementing a Bilingual-Bimodal-Multimodal Early Childhood Program
This interactive session will offer strategies for implementing a Bilingual-Bimodal or Multimodal early childhood program. Known for its expertise in serving deaf children with additional needs, The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf (CCCBSD) expanded this work with an inclusive program that combines evidence-based early childhood practices, family-centered programming, the development of ASL and/or spoken language, Deaf Culture, and principles that support inclusive environments for children with additional needs.
The program emphasizes family choice and child choice. Three connected classrooms offer instruction in ASL, spoken language, or a multi-modal approach. Families select where their child begins each day, while children make extended choices about where to spend time, essentially deciding how they communicate. Data on these choices, along with language and developmental assessments—including video documentation of ASL and spoken language outcomes guide team planning with the child's family.
A Deaf/hearing interdisciplinary team collaborated to create this program using models from other schools, consultation, and family input. Presenters will share how staffing, curriculum, classroom setup, family-school partnerships, and assessment practices contribute to success. Parents will share perspectives on how empowering children to lead their own language and communication choices has supported both language development and social-emotional growth.
Participants will learn about transition support from Parent-Infant Programs into this program, including joint home visits, family surveys, and collaborative decision-making. The session includes group discussion and structured planning time, giving attendees the opportunity to work with their teams to map initial steps for developing bilingual-bimodal programming in their own contexts.
By the end of this session, participants will gain practical strategies to create programs that honor families, integrate Deaf Culture, and nurture holistic growth for young deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
- Develop an initial plan with their team for implementing bilingual-bimodal programming in their own context, including classroom setup, staffing, family engagement, and transition supports
- Analyze how assessments,including video-based language documentation and spoken/ASL outcomes, can guide collaborative team planning and program development.
- Describe the key components of a bilingual-bimodal - multimodal early childhood program, including family-centered practices, Deaf Culture integration, and support for children who are deaf with additional needs.
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
christina Arroyo
(Co-Presenter), The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, christinaarrroyo@cccbsd.org;
Christina Arroyo M.Ed, is a Special Education Teacher who has worked at The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf (CCCBSD) since 2010, teaching countless students who are hearing or deaf/hard of hearing and students with a wide range of disabilities and vision impairment. ranging from preschool through grade 2. Christina holds a BA in Early Childhood Education and a MA in Special Education Pre-K-2 both from Endicott College in Beverly, MA. She currently is the teacher of the multi-modal classroom in BSD's bilingual preschool classroom excelling at modifying and adapting curriculum to meet the needs and communication styles of each individual student through real-life connections and hands-on learning experiences. Christina also holds a certification in CVI from Perkins School for the Blind to help support a variety of students with CVI. In her free time, Christina enjoys spending quality family time with her husband, two daughters and dog exploring nature.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Rachel Buck
(Co-Presenter), Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, rachelbuck@cccbsd.org;
Rachel Buck (she/her) holds a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Akron in Ohio and a bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language (ASL) from Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. She currently works as a speech-language pathologist at the Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf in Massachusetts, where she primarily supports deaf and hard of hearing students with a focus on bilingual/bimodal language acquisition and multimodal communication, including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Rachel previously worked as an ASL/English interpreter and at a school for deaf children in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from CCCBSD.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with CCCBSD.
Nature: Employment.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Courtney Lyons
(Co-Presenter), The Children's' Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, courtneylyons@cccbsd.org;
Courtney is the spoken English preschool teacher at the Beverly School for the Deaf. She has over 10 years of teaching experience, holds a Master's from Gallaudet in Deaf Education, a Master's level certificate in Educating Deaf Students with Disabilities, and is a nationally certified interpreter. Courtney teaches using a holistic and neurodiversity affirming paradigm; emphasizing the development of students' identities as d/Deaf individuals.
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.
Danielle Lavron
(Co-Presenter), Mass Hands & Voices, daniellelavron@cccbsd.org;
Danielle Lavon is a parent advocate and nonprofit leader based in Billerica, Massachusetts. She is the proud parent of her son, Ryan, who is deaf due to congenital CMV (cCMV), communicates in ASL, and uses bilateral cochlear implants. Danielle serves as Board President of Massachusetts Hands & Voices, supporting families across the state as they navigate services, language access, and connection to community. She is also actively involved with the Massachusetts cCMV Coalition, advocating for universal screening, healthcare provider and parent education and timely support for families impacted by congenital CMV. Danielle lives in Billerica with her husband and three children and brings both lived experience and a career in nonprofit development to her work in the d/Deaf and hard of hearing community.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Karen Hopkins
(Primary Presenter), Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, karenhopkins@cccbsd.org;
Dr. Karen Hopkins is the Executive Director of The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf.. She brings over 30 years of experience as a collaborative teacher of the deaf, special educator, early interventionist and educational administrator to her work with Deaf and hard of hearing children. Her work with families, coupled with her own personal experience as a Deaf adult and parent of a daughter who is hard of hearing have inspired her to create systems that empower families. Karen oversees early intervention and statewide educational programming for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing birth to age 22 at CCCBSD. She is active in many organizations and boards, the Hands & Voices HQ Board of Directors and is involved with international FCEI programming including the Deaf Leadership International Alliance. Karen is the Board President of Hands & Voices Headquarters. Karen's current research is focused on perspectives of family empowerment in early intervention systems for Deaf and hard of hearing children.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf.
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Julie Minch
(Co-Presenter), The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, julieminch@cccbsd.org;
Julie Minch is a teacher in the ASL classroom of the Bilingual Bimodal Preschool at the Children’s Center for Communication / Beverly School for the Deaf. She has worked at the school for 16 years and brings a deep commitment to Deaf education and early childhood learning.
Julie’s experience includes working as a teacher aide, classroom teacher, Parent–Infant Program home visitor, and Deaf mentor. Her work focuses on supporting language development, family engagement, and inclusive learning environments that honor Deaf culture and bilingual-bimodal education.
Julie is also a proud parent of two hearing children who are CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults), a role that further enriches her perspective and passion for her work.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from cccbsd.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with CCCBSD.
Nature: Employment.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.