Save the Date: 2025 GPS Conference - Monday, November 3
This year's theme is: Understanding Neurodivergence in Early Childhood - Rethinking "Typical": Embracing Neurodiverse Perspectives to Empower Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children.
It is essential to challenge the conventional definitions of "typical" by recognizing the unique experiences and strengths of neurodiverse individuals. By embracing these diverse perspectives, we can create a more inclusive environment that empowers Deaf and hard-of-hearing children to thrive. Let's celebrate their differences and ensure they have the support and resources necessary to reach their full potential.
This conference offered unique opportunity for Early Intervention Service Providers and Speciality Support Service Providers to come together to learn and to network.
Registration will open in a few weeks!
2025 Keynote: Dr. Danielle Previ
Danielle Previ, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in the District of Columbia and Maryland. She obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Gallaudet University and she completed her doctoral internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in neuropsychology and pediatric consultation departments.
Dr. Previ then worked at Kennedy Krieger Institute’s neuropsychology department and center for child and family traumatic stress. Her areas of interest are evaluations with deaf and hard of hearing children with concerns for autism spectrum disorder and treatments for children and families who have experienced trauma related stressors.
Her current role includes psychological evaluations, psychotherapy services, consultation and supervising trainees.
Tentative Schedule:
8:30-8:45: Registration
8:45: Welcome
9:00: Keynote Presentation
10:15-12:00: Workshops/Breakout Panel Discussion
12:00: Lunch
1:00: Keynote Presentation
2:15-3:00 Breakout/Panel Discussion
2025 Conference Presenters
Dr. Ronald Becker is Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician at Boston Children's Hospital where he serves as a consultant to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program.
His area of specialization is in the assessment and support of children with neuro-developmental differences with a focus on various forms of neurodivergence.
In this role he supports children with neurodivergent and who are Deaf or hard of hearing in their developmental progress, identifying their strengths and maximizing potential.
Mary Grace Hamme, MS, CCC-SLP
Multiple Modalities for DHH Children: Supporting Language Development Through AAC"
Mary Grace is the Support Services Coordinator at TLC, overseeing a team of SLPs, OTs, PTs, and Educational Audiologists. She graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a Communication Sciences and Disorders major and Deaf studies minor in 2012. She graduated from Nazareth University in Rochester, NY with a masters in Speech-Language Pathology and a “Deafness Specialty Preparation Program” certification from The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).
Mary Grace has a passion for working with the Deaf community and supporting their language and communication.
2023 Conference
2023 Conference Presenters
Keynote: Dr. Matthew Hall, Ph.D. -- An Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences & Disorders in the College of Public Health at Temple University. He applies knowledge from cognitive/developmental psychology and linguistics to questions that concern DHH children. He is committed to increasing the quality of the empirical evidence so that clinicians and families can make better-informed decisions toward the shared goal of promoting the long-term and holistic well-being of DHH children. He has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education since 2016, and has been a scientific advisor to Hands & Voices and the National Association of the Deaf.
Milmaglyn Morales -- is the Principal for MPS Early Childhood Center. She holds certification in Connecticut as an Integrated Early Childhood Education (*N-Grade 3) and Special Education in K-12, as well as a Birth-to-Three Program Service Coordinator. She also has a Sixth-Year Leadership Certificate and is currently a Certified Visual Communication Sign Language Evaluator.
Thea Cabral -- Thea holds a Masters in School Counseling with emphasis on Mental Health and is Specialty Service Provider (SSP). As PIP Coordinator, she supports youth in our Birth to 3 program, ensuring resources are accessible for all family members, as well as overseeing the development of language and structured social activities for young children.
Shira Grabelsky -- Shira has a Master’s Degree in Deaf Education from Boston University, and a Master’s in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University. She brings 13 years of professional experience in Deaf Education to TLC. Most recently serving as Curriculum Specialist for New Mexico School for the Deaf, Shira helped develop and implement curriculum adoption strategies, including cross-sectoral collaborations with community groups. She also designed and provided professional development training and instructional coaching for teachers.
April Rivera -- A self-proclaimed “nerd” for early childhood, child development, and social emotional learning, April graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s in Family, Consumer, and Human Development with an emphasis in Deaf Education, Early Childhood Education, and Early Intervention Services. She continued her education with a Master’s in Bilingual-Bicultural Deaf Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood. She taught at the California School for the Deaf, Fremont for three years before moving to Massachusetts to teach at The Learning Center for the Deaf. She is SKI-HI certified. April has worked in early childhood education in both settings, primarily with 3-4 year olds. April is a mentor and teacher coach and loves sharing her values around children and best practices in education.
Claire Lombardo-Miller, CCC-SLP, NIC - A speech-language pathologist and ASL-English Interpreter. She earned a BA in early childhood education at Smith College and an MS in speech-language pathology from Boston University. Since 2004, she has worked at The Learning Center for the Deaf as an SLP, early intervention provider, educator, and mentor. Claire has presented at state and national conferences in the field of Deaf-focused early intervention, the importance of Deaf-hearing teams in early intervention settings, and the unique challenges facing hard of hearing children in public schools. The Deaf community has been a beacon of her learning and personal and professional growth. Allyship and continued cultural understanding is at the center of her professional practice.
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