HomeAdvocacy Support & Training (ASTra) Webinar Series
- Upcoming Webinar -
The Mind’s Eye: Understanding Theory of Mind and its Impact on Socialization
Date: November 19th, 2024
presented by Andrea Marwah
IL Hands & Voices Executive Director, Hands & Voices ASTra Trainer
Time: 10:00am-11:00am (Mnt)
Webinar Description: The delay in acquiring theory of mind (ToM) is caused by a lack of access to language, not by any fundamental cognitive problems. As young children mature, they develop an understanding of themselves and other people as psychological beings who think, know, want, feel, and believe. They come to understand that what they think or believe may be different from what another person thinks and believes. They also learn that much of our behavior is motivated or caused by our knowledge and beliefs. Deaf children who acquire language early are significantly better at reasoning about mental states than language-delayed deaf children. Because of delayed language skills and fewer opportunities for incidental learning, social skills don’t just happen for students who are deaf and hard of hearing. Even mild or temporary hearing loss can delay the development of social skills. The presenter’s daughter is now a young adult hitting the professional world, personal accounts of socialization successes and struggles are included in this session.
Presenters Bio:
Andrea Marwah
Andrea Marwah received her BA degree in Psychology. She presents both locally and nationally on matters pertaining to special education law, socialization/ToM and the educational needs of students who are deaf/hard of hearing. She works for the Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois School for the Deaf as an outreach trainer and Special Education Advocate. Andrea is the Executive Director at Illinois Hands & Voices and is a trainer for the Hands & Voices ASTra Training Program and a member of the Hands & Voices speakers bureau.
- Upcoming Webinar -
Assessments for Celebrating Achievements and Planning What’s Next
Date: January 28, 2025
Presented by: Dr. Uma Soman, PhD, LSLS Cert AVEd.
Assistant Professor Department of Communication Disorders, Fontbonne University and co-founder and Director of Listening Together
Time: 10:00am-11:00am (Mnt)
Webinar Description: As families and professionals work together to help children who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) develop strong communication and academic skills, periodic assessments are essential to plan effective intervention and educational programming. Often “assessments” are considered to be those that give us a standard score once every three years and determine special education eligibility. In this presentation we will consider how assessments whether they are standardized or non-standardized, academic or functional, led by the caregiver or the professional, can become tools to reflect on the past, document the present, and plan for the future. We will also consider a variety of assessments that might be applicable to DHH learners with diverse learning profiles. Finally, we will explore the role of caregivers in assessment administration, interpretation and application to educational programming.
Presenters Bio:
Dr. Uma Soman
Dr. Uma Soman is an educator of deaf or hard of hearing students and a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Auditory-Verbal Educator (LSLS Cert. AVEd). Over the last twenty years, Dr. Soman has worked directly with children and families in a variety of settings. She has also worked with graduate students and mentored professionals pursuing Listening and Spoken Language Specialist certification. She is the co-founder and the Director of Listening Together, a nonprofit organization that advances the education and rehabilitation of children who are deaf and hard of hearing around the world through parent empowerment, professional development, and public awareness. She is also an assistant professor in the Communication Disorders and Deaf Education Department at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO. Dr. Soman is a board member on the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language and a member of the Hands & Voices FL3 Advisory Board.
- Upcoming Webinar -
Language Acquisition for All
Date: March 25, 2025
presented by Rick Haun, MEd
Time: 10:00am-11:00am (Mnt)
Webinar Description: We will explore what parents/caregivers should know and what questions to ask yourself and the teams supporting your child as you navigate through the EI system as well as preparing to move into the Preschool – High School education system. Early Intervention should support families and focus on identifying tools and resources to support language acquisition for your child.
Presenters Bio:
Rick Haun
Mr. Hauan has been involved in Deaf Education since the early 1990s. During his 30-plus year career, he built a statewide system of support for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in Washington state in his role as Executive Director/CEO for the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth. Rick is committed to developing and growing local, state, and regional partnerships across in the United States designed to support children and families in educational settings. He has facilitated and co-facilitated several national groups including a group of professionals known as the Common Ground Project. Rick received his bachelor’s degree from Augustana University, Sioux Falls, SD, master’s degree from Western Oregon University, and School Leadership and Administration Certificate from Western Washington University. He currently serves as Director Emeritus on the Board of Directors for Hands & Voices Headquarters. He is committed to working in partnership across a wide sector of the national community organizations to break down barriers for underserved communities and help children learn, grow, and thrive.
