2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
3/17/2026 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | The Journey through Opportunities and choices: Supporting Every Child’s Language, Identity, and Belonging | River Terrace 3/Deck 3
The Journey through Opportunities and choices: Supporting Every Child’s Language, Identity, and Belonging
In the past, there have been discussions about shifting from parental choices to opportunities for the child and family in Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) systems. But what does this really mean for our children? This session explores that question—looking beyond policy language to the real impact on this process, identity, belonging, linguistic competence, and confidence.
Opportunities for families and children to explore encourage viewing this process as a journey, not a single decision point. Children do not need to follow one path; they can thrive when engaged with any and all opportunities—auditory, visual, and multimodal—so they can explore, learn, and grow according to their unique strengths. Families guided to observe their child closely—celebrating strengths, noticing patterns, and continuously evaluating what works at that moment—become attuned to whether language, social, and emotional milestones are being met, and whether experiences support identity development and connection to the Deaf and hard of hearing community. Making this process as fluid as possible, with choices understood as plural—more than one—ensures that families and children can adapt over time.
All children are different. Some are auditory learners, some visual, and many benefit from multiple approaches. What matters most is that every child develops strong language foundations, authentic connections, and a confident sense of identity as a deaf or hard of hearing individual. Ensuring children have opportunities to engage with the DHH community and access various visual and auditory strategies and languages provides vital opportunities—for growth, inclusion, belonging, and for discovering the identity that best fits each child.
This session explores strategies for professionals to help families create rich opportunities, embed DHH adults meaningfully in children’s lives, and cultivate inclusiveness. By shifting from choices to opportunity, we expand what’s possible—helping every child grow, communicate, and connect in ways that honor who they are and who they are becoming.
- Examine shifting from a one-time parental choice to a dynamic journey of opportunities, allowing families to adapt and move between multiple choices as their child grows and develops.
- Explore strategies for families and professionals to observe and respond to each child’s unique needs, ensuring flexible, individualized approaches that include auditory, visual, and multimodal experiences while maintaining connection to the Deaf and hard of hearing community.
- Promote inclusive practices by embedding Deaf and hard of hearing adults meaningfully in children’s lives, fostering belonging, self-advocacy, and confidence in children as they navigate their developmental journey
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
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.
Catherine Lushman
(Co-Presenter), MECDHH, catherine.lushman@mecdhh.org;
Catherine J. Lushman received her Master’s degree in Deaf Education from Western Maryland College. She started her career as a drama teacher working at the Texas School for the Deaf, in Austin, Texas. She has taught preschool through third grade at the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since 1996. She currently resides in Maine with her husband Rob, and their daughter Norah Jane. She can be contacted at catherine.lushman@mecdhh.org.
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.
Amy Spencer
(Co-Presenter), Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, amy.spencer@mecdhh.org;
Amy is the early intervention and family services coordinator at MECDHH/GBSD. She is a certified SLP and Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She serves on Maine’s EHDI Team as a member of the Earliest Interactions Maine/HRSA grant team under the Maine Newborn Hearing program. Additionally she is part of the Maine Interagency Coordinating Council that ensures collaboration between partners in the state serving children 0-3 and their families. As part of her Infant Toddler Family Leadership and Collaboration Certificate Program from Gallaudet, Amy began her work on the Exploring Language and Communication Opportunities process and it has continued to evolve throughout the last ten years. Amy lives in southern Maine exploring both the ocean and mountains regularly with her husband and two young daughters.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with MECDHH/GBSD.
Nature: Employee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.