Abstract Details
9/08/2025 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Breakout 1 | Ski-U-Mah
Optimizing Language Access for Children with Congenital CMV: The Role of American Sign Language
Abstract Summary
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most common sequelae of congenital cytomegalovirus, occurring in roughly 20% of cases. Children with cCMV-associated SNHL have been found to have much lower rates of “success” with spoken language use after cochlear implantation, than children with genetic-hearing differences. Focusing language learning solely on oral/aural communication may result in missed opportunities during the critical stage of language acquisition, especially for those who ultimately benefit less from CI. As such, children with cCMV are at high risk of language deprivation, and the resultant long-term sequelae including mental illness, social isolation and intellectual disabilities. Here-in we posit that hearing differences themselves arenot the major barrier for children with cCMV, but rather decreased language access. Increasing evidence supports improved language outcomes of children with hearing differences when a bilingual approach is used, meaning the use of American Sign Language and spoken/written English. The presenters will debunk common myths about ASL use, review recent studies regarding a bilingual approach, and finally discuss how ASL may be used in different settings that may be particularly applicable to those with congenital CMV. **We also have a 4th Objective: Empower parents to actively participate in the IEP process by learning at least 2 strategies to increase advocacy skills and strengthen understanding of their rights and the child’s right in order to best support learning/ language outcomes.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the prevalence and impact of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) as a sequela of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), including the lower rates of spoken language success and cochlear implantation outcomes compared to genetic hearing differences.
- Recognize the heightened risk of language deprivation in children with cCMV-associated SNHL and the potential long-term consequences, such as mental illness, social isolation, and intellectual disabilities, due to limited language access.
- Name at least two benefits of a bilingual approach using American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken/written English for improving language outcomes in children with hearing differences, and debunk common myths about ASL in the context of cCMV.
Presentation
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Presenters
Kelsi Gagne | Co-Presenter
liveyourdreams142@gmail.com;
Kelsi Gagne, Dr. Occupational Therapy has been a therapist close to fifteen years. She graduated in 2012 from NovaSoutheastern in Occupational Therapy. Kelsi has worked at New England Rehabilitation Hospital and several other skilled facilities. Kelsi also followed her love for education by acting as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern Maine. Kelsi is also a parent advocate for her daughter Hayley who was born with cCMV.
ASHA DISCLOSURE
Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE
Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.
Leah Geer | Co-Presenter
Leah@classroom.google.com;
Leah is an Associate Professor in the ASL & Deaf Studies program at California State University, Sacramento. She earned her PhD in Linguistics from The University of Texas at Austin, completed a Graduate Certificate from Gallaudet’s University in June 2023 and MA in Early Intervention Studies in December 2024. She is the co-author of ASL at Home, a routine-based curriculum for families with young deaf children, and serves as a Commissioner for the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE). She is also a Board Member of the American Board of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialists (ABDHHS).
ASHA DISCLOSURE
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE
Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.
Megan Pesch | Primary Presenter
pesch@med.umich.edu;
Dr. Megan Pesch is a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician at the University of Michigan where she is the Director of the Congenital CMV Follow-up Clinic. Her research focuses on developmental outcomes of children with cCMV and the experiences of their families. She is the proud mother of three little girls, the youngest of whom is Deaf and has cCMV.
ASHA DISCLOSURE
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE
Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.