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Training Topics

Hearing Topics and Descriptions

  • DTHs: Working Together to Serve Families
  • Family Centered Intervention For Infants And Toddlers Who Have a Hearing Loss 
  • Literacy Bringing Books to Life
  • Functional Hearing Screening
  • Raising a Child with Hearing Loss
  • SIS: Successful Intervention Strategies for Working With Babies Who Have Hearing Loss
  • Transition: From Home To School For 2 1/2 Year Olds Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing
  • What is a DTH?
  • Basic Everyday Sign Language for Young Children
  • Communication Options for the Child Who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • Deaf Mentor Certification Training
  • Impact of Deafness
  • What is a Deaf Mentor?
  • Diagnosis and Beyond: Supporting Families of Children with Hearing Loss

    • Vision Topics and Descriptions

  • Functional Vision Screening
  • Language Development: Learning To Speak Without Looking
  • Motivating Movement In A Child That Does Not See
  • SIS: Successful Intervention Strategies for Working With Babies Who Have Vision Loss
  • DTVs: Working Together To Serve Families
  • Literacy: Touching Stories
  • Family Centered Intervention for Infants and Toddlers Who Have A Visual Impairment
  • Raising a Child with Vision Loss
  • Transition: From Home to School For 2 1/2 Year Olds With Vision Impairment
  • Addressing Vision Loss In Children With Multiple Needs
  • What is a DTV?
  • Cortical...Visual...What?
  • Effects of Vision Loss on the Child and Family
  • What We See When We're Zero To Three

    • Other Related Topics

  • CHARGE Syndrome
  • Usher Syndrome
  • Aural Rehabilitation for Young Children Who Have a Combined Vision/Hearing Concern
  • Early Intervention Overview For Professionals In Hearing And Vision
  • HVEIO Overview

    Hearing Topics and Descriptions
    DTHs: Working Together to Serve Families
    This training brings together the Developmental Therapist/Hearing (DTH) from around the state to discuss what's happening in Early Intervention as it relates to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Updates on rules and regulations, who's where in the state and new materials and resources will be shared. This training is provided annually to enable DTHs to share ideas and strategies for supporting and serving families.
    Family Centered Intervention For Infants And Toddlers Who Have a Hearing Loss 
    This is designed as an extensive training for Early Intervention providers and parents. Participants will become acquainted with hearing loss, amplification, communication options, the impact of hearing loss, intervention strategies and statewide resources. The full training is 4 days, usually scheduled 2 days at a time. Homework assignments are required that provide hands on application of material, interventions and strategies learned. (This training is comprised of a number of different hearing topics that can each be presented as individual trainings or in various combinations for a 1, 2, 3, or 4 day training.)
    Literacy: Bringing Books to Life
    Early literacy begins with reading to children. If a child cannot hear what is being read, how do you encourage them to investigate books? How will they learn that books tell stories with language? In this workshop, participants will learn exciting strategies for reading to a child who is deaf.
    Functional Hearing Screening
    Participants will learn the types and causes of hearing loss, it's impact on development, communication and language, use of a screening questionnaire, when/how to screen, and when/how to refer for further assessments and services. Typically a 2.5-3 hour training.
    Raising a Child With Hearing Loss
    Parents have many questions as they begin to raise their child who has a hearing loss. While we do not profess to have all the answers, we would like to offer some tried and true strategies to families. At this workshop families will learn about communication options and literacy. We will discuss social issues including the Deaf Community. Training participants will have the opportunity to talk and share stories with other parents of children with hearing loss.
    SIS: Successful Intervention Strategies for Working With Babies Who Have Hearing Loss
    Participants will learn about the medical aspects of hearing, the different specialists in the field, the functional implications of hearing loss for infants and toddlers and the intervention strategies for working with these children and their families. Focus will be on language acquisition, communication skill development, and self esteem. Typically a 3 hour training.
    Transition: From Home To School For 2 1/2 Year Olds Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing
    This training is a general overview of information related to children who are deaf/hard of hearing moving from Early Intervention services and home to school age services. Objectives include the identification and development of strategies necessary for assisting children and their families during this transition, the requirements of an IFSP and IEP; the methods and philosophies regarding communication options; the importance of partnership between parents and professionals and background information on the educational implications for children who are deaf/hard of hearing. Typically a 3 hour training.
    What is a DTH?
    Within the Early Intervention System, under the service category of Aural Rehabilitation, the State of Illinois has a very unique service available to families of children who have a hearing loss. This service is provided by an EI system credentialed Developmental Therapist/Hearing (DTH). In this module the "who, what, when, where, how and why" of the role of a DTH will be explained. This module is especially beneficial for service coordinators who may have a family on their caseload who would benefit from the services a DTH can provide. Typically a 1 hour training.
    Basic Everyday Sign Language for Young Children
    How do I create a visually friendly environment? What are the components of using visual communication? What are the signs for typical daily routines with young children? Where can I continue to learn more? The answers to these questions will be explored in a fun, and active way. Put down your pens, lift up your hands and sign! Typically a 3 hour training.
    Communication Options for the Child Who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing
    Communication is an essential component in our daily lives. A child who is deaf or hard of hearing needs communication too. Many of us are aware of sign language; but this is not the only communication option available for families. Training participants will learn about communication options such as Cued Speech, ASL, SEE, Oral, Aural-oral and Total Communication. Families need information in order to make informed decisions for their family. As therapists, we need to become aware of the options and where to refer families for help in making these decisions. Typically a 3 hour training.
    Deaf Mentor Certification Training
    This is a 2-day training required to prepare adults who are deaf/hard of hearing to become enrolled in the Illinois Early Intervention System as Language Mentors for the Deaf. Participants learn how to provide support to families with infants or toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Participants will receive ongoing technical assistance from HVEIO after becoming a Deaf Mentor/Language Mentor for the Deaf.
    Impact of Deafness
    This presentation covers a variety of topics including: how we hear, testing, types and degrees of hearing loss, understanding the audiogram, simulation of hearing loss, impact on language acquisition, and a brief discussion on communication options. Resources for information and support will be shared. Ample opportunity to ask questions will be provided. Come and gain an understanding of the impact of hearing loss. Typically a 3 hour training.
    What is a Deaf Mentor?
    Within the Early Intervention System, under the service category of Family Support, the State of Illinois has a very unique service available to families of children who have a hearing loss. This family support service is provided by an EI system enrolled Deaf Mentor/Language Mentor for the Deaf. In this module the "who, what, when, where, how and why" of this service will explained. This module is especially beneficial for service coordinators who may have a family on their caseload who would benefit from the services a Deaf Mentor can provide. Typically a 1 hour training.
    Diagnosis and Beyond: Supporting Families of Children with Hearing Loss
    This Module is designed to assist professionals in developing family friendly strategies for sharing information and providing services through early intervention. The parent perspective is emphasized as we travel the process from screening and diagnosis through intervention and transition. Ideas to ensure a successful partnership with families will also be discussed. Supporting families as they learn, grow, and make decisions for their child is the critical role of early intervention. Come share what has been successful for you and listen to others share their success stories.

    Vision Topics and Descriptions
    Functional Vision Screening
    Participants will learn how and when to conduct a vision screen as well as who is at risk of vision impairments, warning signs, types of screening tools, and when/how to refer for further assessment/services. Typically a 2.5-3 hour training.
    Language Development: Learning To Speak Without Looking
    We are often surprised to find that language development is significantly affected in a child who is born with vision loss. We will discuss why this is and what should be considered "typical" language development for these children. Participants will walk away from this training with a variety of useful strategies to implement with families. Typically a 2.5 hour training.
    Motivating Movement In A Child That Does Not See
    An infant placed on his tummy will hold his head up to look around environment. A child learns to roll or crawl to toys seen in his environment. How is a child without vision encouraged to develop these same abilities? At this workshop, we will discuss the impact of vision loss on motor development. Participants will learn important motor developing strategies to employ while working with a child who has vision loss. Typically a 2.5 hour training.
    SIS: Successful Intervention Strategies for Working With Babies Who Have Vision Loss
    Participants will learn about the medical aspects of vision, the different specialists in the field, the functional implications of vision loss for infants and toddlers and the intervention strategies for working with these children and their families. Focus will be on interaction with people, play and objects. Typically a 3 hour training.
    DTVs: Working Together To Serve Families
    Developmental Thearapists/Vision from around the state will learn about what's new in EI, working with other team members, vision resources, homevisits, new vision resources and new topics in vision, (Babies Count updates, paperwork, toys, etc.). Sharing and networking is a vital part of this training. Target audience is DTVs.
    Literacy: Touching Stories
    If a child cannot see...how can he read? Books can come alive for children of any age with any ability to see. Making books interesting to the child is the key. Come learn how to make "picture books" exciting for children who are blind or visually impaired. You will learn how and when to introduce books to a child who is without vision. You will also be introduced to Braille. This is a make-it and take-it day, so come ready to create! Typically a 3 hour training.
    Family Centered Intervention for Infants and Toddlers Who Have A Visual Impairment
    This is designed as an extensive training for Early Intervention providers and parents. Participants will become acquainted with the medical aspects of vision and vision loss. Through an in-depth study on specific areas of development and vision loss, participants will gain understanding of a broad range of strategies to employ as they work with children who are blind or visually impaired. The full training is 4 days usually scheduled 2 days at a time. Homework assignments are required that provide hands on application of material, interventions and strategies learned. (This training is comprised of a number of different vision topics that can each be presented as individual trainings or in various combinations for a 1, 2 , 3 , or 4 day training.)
    Raising a Child with Vision Loss
    An infant's visual loss affects daily life. Families often find that daily tasks such as eating, sleeping, discipline, and bathing somehow are affected. Since these tasks are not visual in nature, this comes as a surprise to us. While no one has all the answers, brainstorming with others is often quite helpful. Meeting with others who have encountered these issues in their work with families is a helpful resource. Come and enjoy sharing stories and problem solving about everyday situations. Question and answer time is included.
    Transition: From Home to School For 2 1/2 Year Olds With Vision Impairment
    This training is a general overview of information related to children who have a vision impairment moving from home and Early Intervention services to school age services. Objectives include the identification and development of strategies necessary for assisting children and their families during this transition, the requirements of an IFSP and IEP, the importance of partnership between parents and professionals, and background information on the educational implications for children who are visually impaired. Typically a 2.5-3 hour training. 
    Addressing Vision Loss In Children With Multiple Needs
    We will explore practical ideas and strategies to use when working with children whose visual loss is coupled with motor, speech and/or cognitive delays. Learn the basics of visual functioning including those common to children diagnosed with cortical visual impairment. Strategies to compliment the effect of a visual impairment on communication and motor tasks will be discussed. Typically a 5 hour training.
    What is a DTV?
    Within the Early Intervention System, under service category Vision, the State of Illinois has a very unique service available to families of children who have a vision loss. This service is provided by an EI system credentialed Developmental Therapist/Vision (DTV). In this module the "who, what, when, where, how and why" of the DTV role will be explained. This module is especially beneficial for service coordinators who may have a family on their caseload who would benefit from the services a DTV can provide. Typically a 1.5-2 hour training.
    Cortical...Visual...What?
    Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is the most prevalent visual loss in children age birth to three. CVI affects a child's ability to make sense of visual information. Since over 80% of early learning is visual in nature, it is imperative that we know how to make information accessible to children. Participants will learn what CVI is and how it is diagnosed. The majority of this workshop, will be spent learning intervention strategies to use while working with a child who displays characteristics of a child who has Cortical Visual Impairment. Typically a 2.5 hour training.
    Effects of Vision Loss on the Child and Family
    The effects of vision loss on a family are dramatic. When they receive a diagnosis confirming their fears, parents suddenly find that a new journey has just begun. Families often have questions related to coping, their child's development, and how their child will function without sight. They are often overwhelmed at the loss. As professionals, where do we begin? Prepare to explore the world beyond the diagnosis. Typically a 2.5 hour training.
    What We See When We're Zero To Three
    Our eyes begin to develop just weeks after conception. This development continues after birth and into childhood. Knowing typical visual development helps us to understand when we need to be concerned. This knowledge also helps us to set up an environment that can maximize any child's ability to learn and take in information.

    Other Related Topics
    CHARGE Syndrome
    In this module we will describe CHARGE syndrome, some of the unique characteristics of children with CHARGE syndrome and how this syndrome can differ from child-to-child. We will also cover some of the behavior issues that children who have CHARGE syndrome commonly display. Typically 3-5 hour training.
    Usher Syndrome
    In this module we will define and describe the various types of Usher syndrome. Simulation will be used to address the impact of a combined, progressive vision and hearing loss on an individual. Examples of accommodations that may be necessary to the child's learning environment will be given. Instruction and the forms used to screen for Usher syndrome will be provided. Typically a 3-5 hour training.
    Aural Rehabilitation for Young Children Who Have a Combined Vision/Hearing Concern
    Participants will discuss the concept of Aural Rehabilitation for young children who have combined vision and hearing loss issues. Persons attending with a background in deafness will get 1.5 hours of; vision impairments, effects of visual impairments on development, and accommodations helpful for young children with a vision loss. Persons attending with a background in vision will get 1.5 hours of; audiogram interpretation, hearing aids and trouble shooting, and cochlear implants and candidacy. All participants will be given basic information on deaf-blindness, communication options for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and ideas for adapting aural rehabilitation strategies for young children who have visual impairments. Typically a 5 hour training.
    Early Intervention Overview For Professionals In Hearing And Vision
    This training is targeted at an audience of professionals in the field of hearing and vision (ie. Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Teachers of the Visually Impaired, etc.) who wish to become credentialed and enrolled in the Illinois System of Early Intervention. Training will introduce them to the Early Intervention system and take the knowledge they already have regarding hearing or vision and apply it to working with infants and toddlers. Typically a 6 hour training.
    HVEIO Overview
    This presentation is a basic introduction to Hearing and Vision Connections, which includes who we are, why we exist, and what we do. The target audience includes parents, Early Intervention providers and anyone interested in learning more about our program. We discuss HVEIO trainings, technical assistance, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening, Babies Count, the importance of using Developmental Therapists/Hearing, Developmental Therapists/Vision and Deaf mentors, HVEIO Kits for loan, newsletters, mailing list, website, and more. This presentation can range from 20 minutes to 2 hours. This presentation would be highly recommended for Child and Family Connections Service Coordinators.