Abstract

The Safety Connection:  More to Success than Just Language and Learning​

• Denise Davis-Pedrie, M.A.
• Sara Kennedy​

Infants and toddlers with any kind of special need are at the highest risk for child maltreatment. Hands & Voices has created a community of learners to begin to understand, respond and ultimately work to prevent child abuse and neglect in the world of deaf/hard of hearing children since 2009. In this session, an experienced parent of a deaf child and an early interventionist/speech language pathologist will assist professionals understanding the effect of adverse childhood experiences, teaching both the “why” and “how” to incorporate teaching safety skills related to parents and children in the birth-to-three world.

Learning outcomes
Active participants will be provided with strategies and resources to promote:

• Amelioration of known risk factors and strengthening of preventative factors for abuse/neglect
• Intentionally teaching parent/infant/toddler language skills that will enhance communication competence and safety as they grow
• Teaching parents about a “circle of trust” for those involved in a family’s life when giving the opportunity to care for infants/toddlers when parents are not present.
• Effective observation and the analysis of meaning in a young child’s behavior