Abstract Details
9/08/2025 | 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM | Breakout 3 | Thomas H. Swain
Warriors Among Us
Abstract Summary
I. Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCmv) is a common virus, yet it is the number one cause of non-genetic sensorineural hearing (SNHL) in children. Parents need to understand that cCmv effects each child differently regarding physical, medical, and academic needs. Parents need to be informed to be able to strongly advocate for their children and educate those that encounter their children. No one knows a child like parents. Many children with deafness and have cCmv require their needs to be met according to many factors: A. Age of identification regarding deafness- This information gives the professionals insight into how long the child has been without access to hearing. B. Age of amplification- This is the beginning of the child’s “hearing age.” C. Communication choice- This is an area that can be a difficult choice to make without resources from the team. D. Consistency of choice- When the choices are made, it is critical to follow with consistency in all areas of the child’s natural environment. E. Impact in all five areas of development- Adaptive, Communication, cognitive, gross/fine motor and Social/Emotional F. Medical Impact (if any) An activity will follow. II. This hour will focus on how to get information and share with your professionals. Discussions on what needs to be included, where it needs to be kept, who has access in case of an emergency, when it needs to be shared, how it should be kept and why it should be kept. Models will be provided. III. This last hour will be and time to ask questions and ask questions from an adult who lives with CMV. Contact information will be shared.
Learning Objectives
- Parents will understand the importance of being well informed
- Parents will be able to share knowledge with professionals
- Parents will be more confident in their skills to advocate
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Presenters
Mary Ann Gray | POC, Primary Presenter
hearonegray@netscape.net;
Dr. Gray earned a BS in deaf studies. She obtained her Masters in Early Childhood Special Education. She earned her National Boards in Professional Teaching Standards -Deaf Studies. Lastly, she earned her Doctorate in Education, her dissertation topic was, A Comparison of Parents and Teachers of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children in Terms of Their Perceptions of School-to-Home Communication.
She has worked in Early Intervention, has worked in Deaf education for more that 30 years, taught adjunct in Deaf Studies for 13 years. She serves on the Alabama CMV Committee as well as an Advocate for Alabama Hands and Voices. She has co-authored a chapter, Families of Deaf Children With Co-Occurring Disabilities. Her love for children who are Deaf and with multiple disabilities is her passion. Her daughter, Stacey was symptomatic with CMV. Stacey gave her mom purpose and drive to become the person that she is today.
ASHA DISCLOSURE
Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE
Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.