Deaf Kids Talk

• Parent education classes covering hearing loss, normal development, auditory skills, oral language, speech and cognition
• A combination of individual parent/infant sessions
• A monthly support group to focus on the emotional needs of families of deaf children, the educational and social aspects of deafness, current technological advances, IDEA, understanding and assistance with IFSP/IEP process
• The opportunity to actively participate in their child’s therapy and the playgroup on a regular basis
• Support during IFSP and IEP process
• Guidance through the cochlear implant process
• Access to a library containing sources on parenting, discipline, normal childhood development, language, audiology, sibling issues and play activities

In our Parent Education program, parents understand and learn:

• Techniques for stimulating auditory, speech, language and cognition using meaningful daily routines and experiences
• Facilitation of listening, speech and language skills through appropriate expectations
• The importance of hearing in our cognitive, verbal and social development
• To become competent observers of their child’s progress
• To interpret the meaning of child’s early communication
• Develop confidence in parent-child interactions including appropriate behavioral management techniques
• Become advocates for their child through making informed educational decisions
• The impact of a hearing loss on the dynamics of marriage and family