Vestibular Disorders: Early Identification in Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Vestibular and motor disorders are often overlooked as secondary disabilities in children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Research suggests that over 50% of these children may be affected, yet early intervention providers and teachers receive minimal training on recognizing warning signs, conducting diagnostic evaluations, understanding behavioral symptoms, and exploring potential rehabilitation options.

In this course, led by Dr. Christine Yoshinaga-Itano, a distinguished audiologist, participants will gain essential knowledge on vestibular disorders in deaf and hard of hearing children. We will cover:

• Prevalence and Red Flags: An overview of vestibular disorders and their reported frequency, along with identifying critical “red flags” and conducting assessment procedures.
• Impact on Motor Development and Safety: Insights into how vestibular disorders can delay motor skills and impact safety, with strategies to address these concerns.
• Remediation Strategies: An examination of current research on intervention and habilitation methods.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify key red flags in the development of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and understand assessment procedures for autism and vestibular disorders.
2. Explain the impact of vestibular disorders on motor development and safety in deaf and hard of hearing children.
3. Describe intervention and remediation techniques for children with these conditions.

Intended Audience

This course is designed for professionals in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Special Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing education, Deaf/Blind services, Speech Therapy, Early Childhood, and other intervention fields.

Education Level

Intermediate to Advanced. Participants should have foundational knowledge of terminology used in Deaf/Hard of Hearing education and some familiarity with speech-language pathology terms.