The REAL South x Language First Conference, Cultivating New Beginnings will be in-person at the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf in Clarkston, GA from September 12-14, 2025.

It will be from 12-6:30 pm on Friday, September 12, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 13, and 8:00 am - 12:00 pm on Sunday, September 14. All registrations include a hotel stay at the Atlanta Evergreen Resort at Stone Mountain.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE AND SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

EXHIBIT

Want to exhibit in-person at the conference? Find out more here.

SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE

Friday, September 12

12:00-3:00 pm:

ASSESSMENT TRACK | Early ASL Assessment by Dr. Naomi Caselli

INSTRUCTION TRACK | ASL at Home by Dr. Leah Geer & Dr. Razi Zarchy

3:30-6:30 pm:

ASSESSMENT TRACK | Spoken Language Checklist by Dr. Ashley Greene

INSTRUCTION TRACK | PLAYFVL & Bilingual Stories Bookshelf by Stacy Abrams, Tayla Newman, & Dyan Newman

6:30 pm: Dinner reception

Saturday, September 13

8:00-8:30 am: Opening remarks

8:30-9:30 am: Dr. Morgan Lee | The Foundation: Empowering Deaf Children through Safe Learning Environments

9:45-10:45 am:

Twila Latini | Asking for More: The Power of WH- Questions

Donna Carpenter, Danna Conn, & Nicky Gillies | Partnering with Families: Supporting Preschool Transitions for Children who are DeafBlind

11:00 am - 12:00 pm:

Michelle Meyer & Briella Diaz | Theory of Mind & Incidental Learning

Alayna Finley & Dr. Joanna Cannon | Strengthening Language Journeys: Coaching Strategies for Early Expansive ASL with Families

12:00-1:00 pm: LUNCH

1:15-2:15 pm:

Nicole Chow & Twila Latini | A Two-torial on Implementing Evidence-Based Bilingual Intervention for DHH Children in Early Intervention

Dr. Kinya Embry-Wright | The Fundamental Framework for DHH Children: A Model from the Child’s Perspective

2:30-3:30 pm: Heather Parker & Rachella Moore | Family Immersion Camp

3:30-4:00: Closing remarks

Sunday, September 14

8:00-8:30 am: Opening remarks

8:30-9:30 am: Dr. Bettie Petersen | (Re)constructing Deafness in Early Intervention

9:45-10:45 am:

Twila Latini | Language Deprivation: Now What?

Alayna Finley & Melissa Malzkuhn | From Detection to Language Equity: Designing a Deaf-centric Medical Approach

11:00 am - 12:00 pm:

Dr. Jennifer Beal | New Beginnings: Evidence-Based Strategies for Young DHH Learners

Dr. Oscar Ocuto & Dr. Ashley Greene | Parent Power: How Parental Beliefs Drive Language Success in Deaf Children

12:00-1:00 pm: Closing remarks

This is a digital purchase only; no physical ticket is provided. A form will populate for you to complete your registration and then your purchase will be added to your cart in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Please email info@language1st.org with any questions.