PP118 - The Clinical Audiologist's Guide to IEPs: How to Help Your Pediatric Patient Get What They Need

Abstract:
Research clearly demonstrates the impact hearing loss can have in the classroom. Children with any level of hearing loss are at risk in of falling behind academically, delays in speech and language development, auditory fatigue in the classroom, and challenges with their social emotional development. Children with hearing loss most often need school supports to be successful but understanding and navigating this process can be complexed. This presentation will help you, the clinical audiologist, gain a basic understanding of the process and how you can help your families to get the support their children need in the school setting.

Summary:
When a child is diagnosed with hearing loss, parents often feel they lack adequate resources required to make educated decisions about their child's future. Although the foundation of making these informed decisions stems from understanding their children’s audiological diagnosis and hearing management options, the support required is multi-dimensional. Research clearly demonstrates the impact hearing loss can have in the classroom. Children with any level of hearing loss are at risk in of falling behind academically, delays in speech and language development, auditory fatigue in the classroom, and challenges with their social emotional development. One of the biggest stress factors for parents when there child is diagnosed with hearing loss is education and outcomes. With more that 1000 hours a year spent in school, children with hearing loss most often need school supports to be successful. Understanding and navigating this process can be complexed. Parents can become paralyzed with the overwhelming amount of information they receive stopping them from taking the first step. As the diagnostician, Audiologist are often on the front lines of helping parents develop a plan of care as well as helping them find the resources to support their child’s hearing loss journey. Parents look to you as the first professional who may be able to guide them in all aspect of their child’s hearing loss. This presentation will help you, the clinical audiologist, gain a basic understanding of the process for a child with hearing loss to receive educational support. There will be an explanation of federal educational guidelines and will also demonstrate the levels of help such as Individualized Education Plans and 504 Plans, that are available to support children with hearing loss. Resources will be shared that will support you in helping your parents get started on obtaining their child will need to ensure academic success.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
The non-clinical takeaway from this session is an understanding of how children can receive educational support when they are diagnosed with hearing loss. Participants will gain a basic understanding of the differences in support levels such as Individualized Educational Plans and 504 plans as well as have resources for parents.

Assumptions
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