Did you know there are many factors that affect the success of early intervention services among children who are deaf and hard of hearing? This article found the following factors were important when providing services to deaf and hard-of-hearing children ages 6-36 months:

1. Family participation in services was greatest when services were provided in the home, rather than in an outside setting.
2. Families are less likely to be involved in early intervention when it is delivered outside of their home.
3. Varying types of degrees and education levels can affect the experience level of professionals working with the deaf and hard-of-hearing population.
4. Access to hands-on experience working with the deaf and hard of hearing affects professionals’ comfort levels in working with this population.

How does this relate to CSLOT, where early intervention services are provided in the clinic? How can we encourage parents to be more involved in their child’s speech therapy sessions?

1. Always invite the parent/caregiver to participate in the session.
2. Make parent coaching a part of every session.
3. Encourage the parent to participate in each session rather than just sitting on the sidelines and watching.
4. Model a language stimulation technique while the parent watches. Then let the parent do the same with the child.
5. Give the parent “homework” or ideas for what they can work on in the home for the week and check in during the next session.

Sources Cited: Melody Harrison, Thomas A. Page, Jacob Oleson, Meredith Spratford, Lauren Unflat Berry, Barbara Peterson, Anne Welhaven, Richard M. Arenas, and Mary Pat Moeller. (2016). Factors Affecting Early Services for Children Who are Hard of Hearing.  Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 47 (16-30).  Retrieved from: http://lshss.pubs.asha.org/epdf.aspx?resultclick=3&doi=10.1044/2015_lshss-14-0078