Tuning In and Thinking Ahead: Supporting Executive Function in Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing by Using Listening and Spoken Language Strategies

For children who are deaf or hard of hearing, executive function and language development are deeply interconnected. Language provides the foundation for organizing thoughts, regulating behavior, and solving problems, while communication experiences support the growth of attention, memory, and self-control. This session will explore how these areas influence one another and offer practical listening and spoken language strategies to strengthen executive function within daily routines, therapy sessions, and classroom environments. Participants will gain actionable tools to help children build focus, flexibility, and independence in meaningful, developmentally appropriate ways. This workshop is designed for teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing, early interventionists, paraprofessionals, speech language pathologists, and parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.