Theory of Mind in Children with Hearing Loss

Listening & Spoken Language

Introductory

Self-Study

8hr 14min

Continuing Education

8.00 AG Bell CEUs
0.80 ASHA CEUs

Register until Dec. 30, 2026

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Course Overview
Course Outline

Course Overview

Theory of Mind (ToM) has become a topic of interest for hearing professionals as the speech, listening and language skills of children with hearing loss (CHL) have improved over the decades, but social and emotional skills continue to raise concerns. But what exactly is Theory of Mind? How does it develop, what domains of daily life does it impact, why do CHL struggle in this area, and most importantly, how can we help? This course will cover a background on ToM and its importance, the typical development of ToM in children, “false belief" and its importance, and ToM in CHL. We will analyze current research in the field, learn to identify ToM milestones in the children on our caseloads, learn to write goals for targeting ToM in therapy, and learn specific activities to encourage the development of ToM in CHL.

Course Timeline

30 Days

Primary Audience

LSL Professionals

Key Outcomes

Describe the importance of Mental State Words as a foundation to the development of ToM.
List the stages of ToM development.
Evaluate whether the children on your caseload do or do not currently understand False Belief. If unsure, create a plan to assess.
Describe three reasons why children with hearing loss may be at risk for delays in development of ToM.

Course Outline

An Overview of Theory of Mind (ToM)
2h
[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:bf4f1e14-3a59-441e-9fca-4434dd345ce7:title=Videos&duration=3600&itemdetails=%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOverview%20of%20ToM%20%7C%2015m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntentions%2C%20Desires%2C%20Predictions%20%7C%2025m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EFalse%20Belief%20%7C%2010m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHidden%20Emotion%20%7C%2010m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E]

[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:843010e1-8589-4878-a556-fac0f91fec88:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3600&itemdetails=]
Videos
1h
- Overview of ToM | 15m
- Intentions, Desires, Predictions | 25m
- False Belief | 10m
- Hidden Emotion | 10m
Live Session Recording
1h
Factors affecting the Development of ToM
2h
[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:eaf70617-7dc7-4b86-a12d-766eaae24b31:title=Videos&duration=3600&itemdetails=%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelopmental%20Disabilities%20%7C%2015m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan%3EGender%2C%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3EFamily%20Size%20%7C%2015m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan%3EBilingualism%2C%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3ESocio-economic%20status%20%7C%2015m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%0A%3Cp%3ELanguage%20Level%2C%20Parent%20input%20%7C%2015m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E]

[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:9e4ca457-7433-4161-8692-4ded8cd2bfec:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3600&itemdetails=]
Videos
1h
- Developmental Disabilities | 15m
- Gender, Family Size | 15m
- Bilingualism, Socio-economic status | 15m
- Language Level, Parent input | 15m
Live Session Recording
1h
Children with Hearing Loss (CHL) & ToM
2h
[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:9a106bd8-196e-41f8-8f8c-75964f89f96c:title=Videos&duration=3600&itemdetails=%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20Dive%20into%20the%20Research%20%7C%2015m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFactors%20affecting%20CHL%20%7C%2045m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E]

[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:256240c2-979e-4497-a083-79dcbe250e2c:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3600&itemdetails=]
Videos
1h
- A Dive into the Research | 15m
- Factors affecting CHL | 45m
Live Session Recording
1h
ToM & Intervention
2h
[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:796c77f0-c280-400c-b2ec-e6761be02a70:title=Videos&duration=3600&itemdetails=%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStart%20with%20Mental%20States%21%20%7C%2015m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIntervention%20%26amp%3B%20Adapting%20Current%20Activities%20%7C%2020m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIntervention%20%26amp%3B%20Literacy%20%7C%2015m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAssessment%20%7C%2010m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E]

[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:73bde6b6-4ba3-48ff-aa40-0bad58a55c34:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3600&itemdetails=]
Videos
1h
- Start with Mental States! | 15m
- Intervention & Adapting Current Activities | 20m
- Intervention & Literacy | 15m
- Assessment | 10m
Live Session Recording
1h

Featuring

Landon Lacey
MS, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
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Landon received her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University in 2008 and her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) in 2013. While at UNC, Landon was awarded a grant through the Federal Education Program for supplementary training in working with children with hearing loss (CHL). After graduating, Landon worked as an SLP in Early Intervention at Child’s Voice School in Chicago until 2016. From 2016-2019 Landon worked as a Consumer Engagement Manager for the cochlear implant manufacturer MED-EL. While at MED-EL, Landon developed several trainings on Theory of Mind (ToM) in CHL for professionals and parents. In 2019, Landon had her first child and left MED-EL to focus on her baby. In 2021 Landon had her second child. Although not working full time, Landon continues to present about ToM in CHL.

Financial Disclosures: She receives compensation from Hearing First for facilitating this course.

Non-financial Disclosures: She has no non-financial disclosures at this time.

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Hearing First is approved by the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language to offer Continuing Education Hours for Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS) certification. This program has been approved for a maximum of 8.00 CEUs. AG Bell Academy approval of this course is based on information shared by the approved provider. Views shared by the presenter(s) may not necessarily reflect the views of the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language either in part or whole.

Hearing First Introductory Level
0.80 ASHA CEUs

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