2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
3/17/2026 | 9:40 AM - 10:10 AM | Barriers and Bridges to Bimodalism, for parents and professionals | Orlando
Barriers and Bridges to Bimodalism, for parents and professionals
Deaf*/hard of hearing children who use a signed language and also have sufficient access to spoken language (through residual hearing, unilateral hearing loss, or listening technology) often fall into a tricky linguistic and cultural gray area. While bimodal goals are attainable for many children, deep-rooted tropes and personal biases continue to discourage practitioners and families from pursuing bimodal language development with intentionality and longevity. Caregivers are often left with conflicting advice, encouragement to “pick one language,” and may receive biased care from their EI providers. In this workshop, some of the unique features and challenges of bimodal development will be outlined, highlighting parents’ perspectives. Current research will be shared so that practitioners and caregivers can feel confident in creating a language plan with spoken and signed language objectives.
Deaf* is an umbrella term referring to individuals who are deaf, Deaf, D/deaf-blind, Deaf+, DeaF, and any other self-identifier.
- Participants will generate and discuss unique challenges when bimodalism is a linguistic goal
- Participants will dispel myths related to the acquisition of both a signed and spoken language by referencing current research
- Participants will begin to identify barriers and bridges to bilingual-bimodal language planning, making them better able to “meet families where they are”
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
Claire Lombardo-Miller
(Primary Presenter), The Learning Center For the Deaf, cmiller@tlcdeaf.org;
Claire Lombardo-Miller, CCC-SLP, NIC, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and ASL-English Interpreter. She earned a BA in Early Childhood Education at Smith College and an MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University. Since 2004, she has worked at The Learning Center for the Deaf as an SLP, early intervention provider, educator, and mentor. Claire presents at state and national conferences in the field of deaf-focused early intervention, linguistic bias, and bilingual-bimodal development. She provides consultative services to SLPs within public schools as well as district-wide/system-based consultative guidance to impliment evidence-based and culturally sound practices for deaf/hard of hearing students in mainstream settings. The Deaf community has been a beacon of her learning and personal and professional growth. Allyship and continued growth is at the center of her professional practice. Outside of work, Claire finds herself happiest with her family, in her garden, attending live music, and eating ice cream.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from The Learning Center for the Deaf.
Nonfinancial -
• Has a Professional
(membership/on the executive board)
relationship for Board membership.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with The Learning Center For the Deaf.
Nature: Hands & Voices (MA chapter), Executive Board member.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.