Workshop description

Educators and parents frequently find themselves at a complex instructional crossroads when supporting DHH students who are also neurodivergent. Traditional DHH strategies often overlook cognitive processing differences, while standard neurodiversity accommodations rarely account for the unique linguistic barriers faced by DHH learners. This gap can leave professionals guessing how to best support a student's academic and emotional needs. This session unravels the intersection by equipping participants with the critical lenses needed to parse linguistic barriers from neurological profiles. We will analyze the intricate crossover between early language deprivation and neurodivergent processing, demonstrating how a lack of accessible language can mimic executive dysfunction. The participants will discover how executive dysfunction uniquely manifests in DHH learners. Finally, participants will explore a toolkit of strategies designed to reduce cognitive load, scaffold executive functioning, and enhance academic success in your classroom.

Presented by Jaime Monson and Nicki Melby.

Jaime Monson

Jaime Monson is a clinical social worker and serves as the Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Volunteers of America Minnesota and Wisconsin. She holds a master's degree in clinical social work from Gallaudet University and is currently pursuing a master's in nonprofit administration at the University of Notre Dame. With over 25 years of experience working alongside the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind communities, Jaime brings deep expertise and cultural understanding to her practice. Her clinical interests include trauma-informed care, play therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy, and she is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Jaime's experience spans multiple levels of care, including outpatient, school-based, residential, and emergency settings.

Nicki Melby

Nichole (Nicki) Melby is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and MFT board approved supervisor with over 10 years of clinical experience, specializing in mental health services for DHH children, adolescents, and families. She holds a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. Nicki has worked extensively in both adult and child mental health, with a strong focus on Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) populations. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Theraplay- Level one. She is also trained in providing diagnostic assessments for children from birth to 5 years old (DC:0-5). Nicki is rostered Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) provider.