Utilizing the Powers of Play with Deaf Youth
Compared to hearing peers, research has shown that deaf children have a greater risk of being exposed to interpersonal trauma (e.g., emotional abuse, neglect, physical and sexual abuse).
Approximately 90% of deaf youth have hearing parents, with 88% of those hearing parents not knowing sign language (Marks, 2023). Due to language barriers early in life, social learning may be impacted. A child may not have been able to access their family as models for co-regulation, understanding their emotions, processing their trauma, learning how to safely and clearly express their emotions, or develop a strong sense of beliefs/perspectives.
In order to best serve deaf trauma-impacted youth, experiential-based models must be a priority in order to accommodate language gaps. Play therapy enhances social relationships by using the impact of the therapeutic relationship and direct communication to provide opportunities for social learning and co-regulation in a safe and trusting space that may not be present in a non-signing environment (Drewes & Schaefer, 2016; Ray & Tapia-Fuselier 2018) Due to how trauma is stored in the amygdala, for some youth expressing and exploring their trauma using language can be challenging and at times, impossible. The combination of symbolic play and direct communication through American Sign Language, facilitates communication and fosters emotional wellness by using play to re-create and re-enact experiences to help youth problem solve, utilize higher executive functioning, and express their perceptions, and in turn increases personal strengths, through the use of interactive and hands-on activities (Greenberg, Rice, & Safran, 1998).
Learning Objectives: After successful completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- identify the impact of language deprivation on social emotional learning.
- describe the adaptations necessary for working with deaf clients in play therapy.
- select 3 play therapy interventions appropriate for use with deaf clients.
3 Contact CE | Beginning | Play Therapy Special Topics, Play Therapy Cultural and Social Diversity Topics
About our presenter: Sarah Wintman is an independently Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Massachusetts and Registered Play Therapist™. Sarah also became certified in Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment and recently completed level 1 in Theraplay. Sarah is originally from NY but moved to MA in 2016 when she became a mental health therapist at the Walden School under The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham. There she worked with residential deaf youth ages 7-22 who had additional behavioral, social, and or Trauma needs. In 2022, Sarah joined a group practice and continues to provide play therapy services to deaf youth and their families. Sarah is hearing but has been working with deaf youth for about 10 years and utilizes American Sign Language. Over the past 8 years, Sarah has provided trainings and presentations related to the importance of play, understanding of healing-centered work, providing trauma informed care, and cultural competence regarding working within the Deaf community.
NEAPT Members $75; Guests $125; NEHS Staff $50
This training is approved by APT Approved Provider 02-123 for 3 CE hours. NEAPT maintains responsibility for the program. Registrants understand and agree that any photograph, video or audio recording of themselves may be used to further promote NEAPT.
Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than May 10, 2024. Cancellations are subject to a $20 processing fee. Substitutions (someone else attending) or transfer of registration to another training date may be requested. No refunds or partial refunds after May 10, 2024.
By registering for this training, you are giving NEAPT permission to add your email to our email list and you are giving permission for NEAPT to use any photographs or screenshots that are taken during the event containing your likeness for promotional purposes.
