Primo Congresso Internazionale per le Famiglie...

Dear Colleagues and Parents,
on behalf of the Scientific Programme and Local Organising Committee, we take pleasure in inviting you to the 1st International Congress on Family-Centred Early Intervention for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, which will be held in Bad Ischl, Austria, from May 30th to June 1st 2012.
This Congress aims to bring together professionals involved in early family-centred intervention, researchers and parents. It will present evidence-based family-centred approaches in early intervention from multidiscliplinary professional and parent perspectives to improve national early intervention programs for children with hearing loss.
Bad Ischl, a charming small town and the cultural center of the Salzkammergut, offers perfect conditions for exceptional and unforgettable events and conference venues. The Alpine health resort has a long-standing history as summer residence of the Austrian imperial family that still can be felt in many places.
Please check this congress homepage from time to time in order to stay up to date.
We look forward to welcoming you in Bad Ischl in May 2012!
Cliccate qui per visionare il programma intero!!!

FCEI 2012 Parent Strand & General Conference Parent Sessions
Abstract
Family-centered early intervention programs are too often defined and developed from an exclusively professional perspective. This can result in family-centeredness that is still inherently based on a professional model. The FCEI Parent-Strand Pre-Session is for both parents and professionals who seek to infuse their practice with end-user knowledge and experience of what works, what doesn’t, and how early intervention systems can become more effective for families and their children with hearing loss. FCEI 2012 provides the early intervention field with an unparalleled opportunity to learn what family-centered practice entails through a process that has been informed by parent perspectives and expertise. Developed by successful family support organizations that have joined in the Global Coalition of Parents of Deaf Children (GPOD) including Hands & Voices (U.S), Aussie Deaf Kids (AU), the National Deaf Children’s Society (UK), along with support from the Association of Friends of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (Austria), the parent pre-session takes the “theory” of family centered practice and shows what it looks like in actual practice.
30 May 2012 Parent PreSession Workshops 8:30 am – 12 pm
8:30 – 10 am Parent Sharing: This is an informal, facilitated discussion time just for parents. Participants will break into facilitated groups to introduce themselves and discuss their experiences. Emphasis will be given to how family support works in the country where the parents live—what works well and what needs improvement in early intervention systems there. Introduction: Leeanne Seaver (GPOD/Hands & Voices/US) 1-2 English speaking group (Leeanne Seaver & Angelika Pleml-Bichler) 1-2 German-speaking groups (Elisabeth Tragler, Herta Winter and Alexandra Pichler) 1 Lithuanian/Russian language (Daiva Müllegger)
10:00 – 10:30 Teatime
10:30 – 12 pm Parent & Professional Partnerships. What options and resources are available to support parent/professional partnerships? What are the challenges? What do we mean by parent participation? Presenters: Valerie Copenhagen (GB) and Sabine Windisch (A)
During the course of a deaf child’s life, parents will be given opportunities to engage and form partnerships with many different professionals on a range of different needs. These relationships should be constructive, effective and positive whilst also ensuring families feel empowered and informed in being given the information to make the right decision for their deaf child. As part of this session, the group will: Share experiences of current workings/partnerships with professionals Discuss the different approaches towards creating effective parent and professional partnerships Recognise the key components needed to strengthen and develop parent and professional partnerships Reflect and review how to integrate best practice outside the workshop
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch 30 May Parent PreSession Workshops 13:00 – 16:00pm
13:00 – 14:15 Roles in Family Involvement: for our Children, for One Another, and for Systems Improvement. Presenters: Jodi Cutler Del Dottore (I), Janet DesGeorges (US), Stephanie Olson (US)
Research shows that the involvement of families is a critical element for success in early intervention. "Family Involvement" can be discussed on three different levels. This session will take a look at those levels from their evolution through their application for parental investment. It will explore the different ways in which families move from their own personal experiences to the level where they can provide support to other families, as well as taking advantage of opportunities to be involved to improve the systems that are serving our children: early intervention, medical, educational, and beyond. Topics such as how to tell your personal story appropriately, how to represent other families who have different modality choices than your own, and maintaining credibility as a parent will be explored.
14:15 – 14:45 Teatime
14:45 to 16:00 Positive Approaches to Emotional Support/Health Presenters: Pauline Walker and Valerie Copenhagen (GB) This session will be looking at promoting good emotional health and well-being for deaf children and their families. How we do this within the home focusing on how: We as parents understand the implications of having good emotional health and well being (EHWB) for ourselves and our children We understand the indicators and the consequences of poor EHWB We know how to put in place pro-active strategies via positive dialogue and exercises to add to our children’ emotional repertoire We and our children have improved emotional resilience.