Children who are deaf and hard of hearing who are identified and provided access to language early are more likely to meet language milestones at the same pace as other children their age. This Fireside Chat will bring together early intervention providers, teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing, administrators, and parents to learn from one another and share input on the system of supports for language acquisition, with a special focus on infants/children who are deaf and hard of hearing birth through age 3. Specifically, participants will:
Darcia Dierking, Au.D. holds pediatric audiology specialty certification and has more than 20 years of clinical and research experience working with both children and adults. Dr. Dierking works with the Minnesota Department of Health Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program doing longitudinal follow-up for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
After receiving an MPH in epidemiology and biostatistics from the Boston University School of Public Health, Sara obtained her PhD from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Dr. Lammert is an epidemiologist working with the Minnesota Department of Health Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program focusing on management and analysis of surveillance and longitudinal follow-up data for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Jess is the Minnesota Statewide Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Specialist with the Minnesota Low Incidence Projects. Jess has a background of working with children with hearing loss and their families as a Teacher of Deaf/Hard of Hearing in Northwestern Minnesota. She has focused much of her career on supporting young children with disabilities and their families during the early childhood years.
