Pediatric Hearing Loss: Offering Parent Support Groups for Hispanic Families
Presented by: Ana Caballero and Karen Muñoz
When: Wed., April 12, 2017 2–3 pm EST/ 1–2 pm CST / Noon–1 pm MST / 11 am–Noon PST
Where: Adobe Connect
Abstract
The U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) defines family partnership as "the Parents have a central role in the intervention process and need to learn new knowledge and skills, and gain confidence to manage effectively on a daily basis. Attitudes and beliefs related to disabilities are influenced by culture and differing perspectives need to be incorporated in treatment decisions (ASHA, 2008). It is estimated that the Hispanic population in the United States will comprise a quarter of the U.S. population by 2050 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2008). Consistency of hearing aid use is an area of concern for young children (Walker et al., 2013) as well as other hearing aid management challenges parents encounter (Muñoz, Olson, Twohig, Preston, Blaiser, & White, in review) that may contribute to less than optimal speech and language outcomes. Steinberg et al. (2003) suggested "…parents who are unable to take full advantage of information and resources in English tend to experience a narrow perspective of the options available and a more limited perspective of prognosis and the future potential of their child." (p. 18). Parent support groups are a mechanism to help families connect with one another, learn from one another, and to create a community that helps them learn how to address challenges they experience with their child's hearing loss. To better understand and address needs of Hispanic families, we developed an Educational and Support group for Hispanic families with children with hearing loss in 2014. During this presentation we will share the lessons we have learned to more effectively meet the educational needs of families.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe how to develop an education and support group for hispanic parents with children with hearing loss.
- Discuss the factors that contribute to more effectively meet the educational needs of families with children with hearing loss.
Presenters:
Ana Caballero is a student in the Doctorate of Audiology program at Utah State University. She is originally from El Salvador, where she obtained a previous Medical Degree. Her native language is Spanish. She earned her Second Bachelor at the University of Utah in Communicative Disorders (Speech and Hearing BS) in 2013. Because of her previous medical background and coming from a developing country, she worked several years with kids and adults at different rural areas and underprivileged communities. She enjoys working around people, and also working with kids and likes being around hispanic populations as well, helping also with language barriers. After she graduates, she want to work with kids with hearing loss and different disabilities and their families, trying to be for them a support and advocate for an equal access to health services.
Karen Muñoz is associate professor of audiology, audiology division chair, and associate department chair in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders and Deaf Education at Utah State University. She is also associate director of the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management at Utah State University. She conducts research related to parent experiences with hearing aid management and use, and effective practices for audiologists in supporting parents with daily management.
