A Foundation for Language with Visual Communication

WHEN YOU COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE, YOU WILL HAVE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO THE 60 MINUTE RECORDED WEBINAR.

Presenter: Louise Rollins

This webinar explores the opportunities provided by using visual language with young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. We examine the linguistic, cognitive, and social-emotional advantages that visual language can promote. Families can choose to balance visual and spoken language in their child’s life in many different ways, which we will review. We discuss how professionals can counsel families to make choices that align with their family’s values, but also are informed by their child’s progress, strengths, and needs.

Bio: Louise Rollins has worked with deaf children and their families for over 15 years, primarily in birth-5 programs. She has broad experience as a teacher in schools for the deaf and public school programs, collaborating with professionals across the state of Maryland. Louise’s expertise includes coaching parents to support their children in acquiring American Sign Language, cued American English, and/or spoken language. She is currently an Early Intervention Teacher of the Deaf for Montgomery County Infants & Toddlers Program. She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from Towson University and a MA in Deaf Education, with a concentration in Family Centered Early Education, from Gallaudet University. In her volunteer life she serves as president of Deaf Camps, Inc. and is a founding board member of the Maryland/DC chapter of Hands & Voices. Louise is a CODA who is proud to serve her community through her professional and volunteer work.

Learning Objectives

As a result of participating in this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify 3 linguistic, cognitive, and/or social-emotional advantages of using visual language with young children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH).
• Explain 2 different ways that families can choose to balance visual and spoken language in their child’s life.
• Explain the role of a professional in guiding families to consider child factors as well as family factors when making language planning decisions.

Presenter receives an honorarium for this presentation and has no nonfinancial relationships to disclose.