Course curriculum

  • 1

    Course content

    • PowerPoint

    • CISIGN: Why Deaf Children with Cochlear Implants Need Signed Language

    • Quiz

    • Evaluation

    • Continuing Education Credits

Course information

Course description: This presentation will explain why cochlear implants do not preclude a deaf child from being exposed to a robust natural signed language like ASL. It will review the evidence from brain science and neurological development to make the case for using a bimodal bilingual approach with this population. The talk will end with a call to action for professionals to help ensure that deaf children with cochlear implants are acquiring a complete first language from birth.

Agenda:

15 minutes: Review of the science behind brain development and neuroplasticity

15 minutes: Review of common misconceptions about cochlear implants

15 minutes: The case for exposing implanted children to ASL early

15 minutes: CISIGN Campaign, and considerations for professionals


Learner outcomes:

Participants will be able to:

  1. Explain how the concept of neuroplasticity applies to deaf children with cochlear implants

  2. Describe the benefits of using a natural signed language like ASL with implanted deaf children

  3. State one actionable step they can take to help ensure their young clients with cochlear implants are acquiring a complete first language

Instructor(s)

Kimberly Ofori-Sanzo

Kimberly Ofori-Sanzo is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who has experience working at a school for the deaf, as well as presenting and publishing on topics related to language acquisition, bilingualism, and language deprivation. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Vermont in 2010, her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Gallaudet University in 2012, and her Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) in 2022. She is a board-certified specialist in child language (BCS-CL) through the American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders and is co-founder of the American Board of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialists (ABDHHS).

Speaker disclosures:

Financial disclosures: Kim is the owner of Language First and is receiving payment for this course.

Nonfinancial disclosures: Kim is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association and the American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders.

Continuing Education

This course is offered for 0.10 ASHA CEUs.
This course is offered for 0.10 RID CEUs.