LM307 - Promoting Parent-Child Interaction in Families with Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: The Role of Professionals

Abstract:
Infant/toddler development is facilitated through relationships and interactions with family members. This occurs through visual exchanges such as eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, and pointing; as well as verbal exchanges like babbling and early language. Families engage in “social turn taking,” with their child through caregivers’ contingent reactions to their child’s behaviors. When a child is congenitally deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), the “natural” reciprocal exchanges can be disrupted. This presentation will introduce essential components of parent-child interaction (PCI) as well as recommendations for professionals to address and promote PCI in clinical settings and through family-centered early intervention (FCEI).

Summary:
Infant/toddler development is facilitated through relationships and interactions with family members. This occurs through visual exchanges such as eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, and pointing; as well as verbal exchanges like babbling and early language. Families engage in “social turn taking,” with their child through caregivers’ contingent reactions to their child’s behaviors. When a child is congenitally deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), the “natural” reciprocal exchanges can be disrupted.

This Intermediate level session will include a review of the current literature on parent-child interaction (PCI) and its relevance to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). In addition, research on PCI interventions in the field will be discussed.

It is anticipated that participants will have knowledge of working with this population, and this session will expand upon that knowledge through an emphasis on PCI, which is outside the traditional scope of training for audiology and related professions. Yet, audiologists and allied health providers are often the first and, in many cases, the most important “touch point” for families when they learn that their child is DHH. Understanding the role of PCI and its importance in child development, as well as being able to address PCI with families in the clinical context or through family-centered early intervention (FCEI) is imperative in promoting optimal child and family outcomes. Presented by psychologists and an audiologist who specialize in supporting families and children who are DHH, this session will engage participants through a demonstrative role play and active discussion, while emphasizing innovative approaches to supporting families. Participants will leave with better understanding of how professionals can foster PCI and a suggested plan for addressing PCI with families.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
The clinical takeaway is the importance of parent-child interaction (PCI) in promoting child development and positive family outcomes, particularly for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Audiologists and allied health professionals play a crucial role in fostering PCI through clinical work and family-centered early intervention strategies.