Our Program/Our Mission
The PCOE Infant Program provides home-based and parent participation groups for families with children from birth to age three. Our goal is to ensure all children have access to language during this critical period for language development. We provide support to families from the moment their child is diagnosed with hearing loss through their journey of raising a Deaf or Hard of Hearing child.
Family Choice - Child Led
We respect that all families and children are unique. Our program provides instruction in American Sign Language (ASL) as well as using listening and spoken language development. Both modalities benefit children. Following your child's lead, you will be supported in your decision to choose one modality or both. We offer children and families all the tools in the toolfox for a strong foundaiton.
Our Staff
The DHH Multi-disciplinary team consists of highly skilled professionals providing a variety of services.
- Teachers of the Deaf
- Speech Language Pathologists
- Educational Audiologists
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Vision Specialists
- Early Childhood Special Educators
- Deaf Coaches
- Spanish Interpreters
Home Visit Program
Parents and the DHH Early Intervention team work side-by-side sing evidence based practices and developmentally appropriate activities to promote language, speech development, social/emotional skills, sensory processing, cognition, ealry literacy, and moter develooment. Research supports providing services for infants and toddlers in their natural environment such as home, childcare, and community settings during your familily's everyday routines. Services, frequency, and collaboration with other agencies (including medical providers) are determined through the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and based on each child's individual needs.
Parent-Child Participation Programs
Our parent participation playgroups at our school site follows best practices for teaching young Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children. Our groups are thematic, play-based, and language focused. Families can choose the listening/spoken language group or the bilingual/bimodal sign language/english group. Language promoting strategies are modeled by staff and practiced by families to make all experiences rich in language. Groups include a music program, gross moter and sensory activities, oral motor practice, speech and language opportunities and a time for parent education and connection. Many families attend both groups depending on parent choice and child preference.
PALS - ASL English Bilingual/Bimodal Group
This group is designed to develop language skills in both American Sign Language and English. We focus on the two language modalities (spoken and signed) separately to ensure both languages are being modeled accurately. Deaf adults attend and contribute to each session as language and role models.
Little Listeners - Listening for Spoken Language Group
This group is designed to develop listening and spoken language skills. We focus on building spoken vocabulary , work on specific speech sounds, and increasing function. The emphasis is on listening, identifying, discriminating, and following verbal directions.
Deaf Coach Program
Our Deaf Coach program provides families a natural connection with the Deaf community to help the child and the family develop positive attitudes about being Deaf or Hard of Hearing. If families request, Deaf Coaches are available to come to the home and work with the whole family. Deaf coaching supports may include; teaching American Sign Language (ASL), sharing experiences of growing up Deaf or Hard of Hearing, how to successfully navigate the hearing world, personal experiences using hearing aids or cochlear implants and introducing the family to Deaf Culture.
Sensory Integration and Balance Support
An Occupational Therapist is on staff and available during playgroups to address any sensory or motor needs, particularly in the area of vestibular (movement) processing. Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing are more likely to have difficulties with their vestibular processing system that can affect balance, attention, reading (scanning & visual gaze stabilization), and emotional regulation.
Staff Training and Certification
Staff are fully licensed and/or credentialed in their are of specialty. Staff are current in the latest research-based educational approaches and best practices in all areas of development with special focus on Deaf and Hard of Hearing infants and toddlers.
Transition to Preschool Services
A series of coordinated transition activities are designed to assist the receiving school distirct in developing a comprehensive transition to appropriate services at the age of three. This may include opportunities for district staff to consult with PCOE staff and observe the child
PCOE DHH Infant and Toddler Program uses researched based curriculums that focuses on a variety of topics related to infant toddler development. Specific topics include:
- Communication Opportunities (American Sign Language) and (Spoken Sign Language)
- Language Development
- Hearing Levels/Loss
- Listening Skills
- Auditory Development
- Simulated audiological sound booth testing
- Amplification (hearing aids, cochlear implants, HAT systems, etc.)
- Deaf Culture
- Natural Environments
- Daily Routines
- Early Literacy
- Sign Systems
- Play Skills
