One of the most common discussions among parents in online groups is “What services should I be pursuing for my child with a cochlear implant?  What exactly is an IFSP and what services are eligible? What should happen during transitions?"

To provide greater guidance for parents and support professionals who work with children and their families and caregivers, a special team comprised of a parent of three adult children with cochlear implants and a special education professional with decades of experience in this area have taken on this important topic. Marguerite Vasconcellos, Ed.D., LSLS Cert. AVT, recently retired as Director of Itinerant Services at Bucks County Intermediate Unit and is currently Adjunct Professor at Drexel University’s School of Education. Andi P. Hill is a parent of three adult children with cochlear implants, an active Parent Advocate and an ACI Alliance State Champion.  

Together they are conducting research on parent and professional needs and developing support materials to support the journey that families of children with cochlear implants have during early intervention and into the school years. Their efforts are intended to support both parents and professionals who serve families of children with hearing loss. Their research and guidance materials are titled: Special Education Services for Infants and Children with Cochlear Implants: What is Appropriate?  The research and guidance materials were presented at the upcoming (Re)Habilitation Connect Forum at CI2022 DC. Session materials will be posted to the conference website by August 2022. Guidance materials are expected to be available in the fall of 2022.

P.O. Box 103 | McLean, VA 22101-0103 | Phone: 703.534.6146
Website: https://www.acialliance.org