At the Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, you will find experienced, caring professionals ho are committed to providing unbiased information and a variety of communication choices to help your child reach his or her fullest potential. Our services for children with hearing loss include:
For Children and Families:
- Birth to Three Program
CDHH is a provider for
Wisconsin
’s Birth to Three Program, an early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) oversees the Birth to Three Program and each county in
Wisconsin
is responsible for providing these services within their county. CDHH works with many counties in
Southeastern Wisconsin
to provide appropriate early intervention services to the children in their Birth to Three Programs who are deaf or hard of hearing. CDHH also works with families who opt not to participate in the Birth to Three Program. The philosophy of the CDHH Kellogg Child and Family Program is that parents should be the primary decision-makers for their child’s program needs and determination of goals, as they know their child best. The role of CDHH staff is to provide accurate and unbiased information to support the parents’ decision-making process. For more information about the CDHH Birth to Three Program, contact Chris Kometer.
- In Home Services
Parent education within the home is designed to meet the needs of each family. What takes place during home visits is determined by the needs and interests indicated by the family and may include information about hearing loss and deafness, communication options, and/or ways to enhance your child’s functional language. Functional communication can include vocalization, speech, use of residual hearing, facial expression, gesturing and/or signing. CDHH can begin working in your home with you and your child from a very early age, sometimes as young as a few weeks old.
- Toddler Communication Groups
Toddler Communication Groups take place at CDHH twice per week and are open to children ages 15 months through three years old. Communication Group staff include a Child and Family Teacher, a Program Assistant and two Speech-Language Pathologists. In addition, university students majoring in Deaf Education, Speech-Language Pathology or Interpreter Training may assist the staff. These communication groups provide a natural play setting rich in auditory, speech and language stimulation to enhance your child’s functional communication. They also provide children with opportunities for social interaction with peers and adults who use a similar communication mode, including oral communication or sign language. Parents are active participants of these communication groups and have the opportunity to learn new activities to use with their child as well as meet other parents of deaf and hard of hearing children. For more information about CDHH Toddler Communication Groups, contact Chris Kometer.
- Speech-Language Therapy
Speech-Language Therapy sessions will focus on development of vocalizations and speech, meaningful use of residual hearing, receptive and expressive language skills and the family's competency as speech-language facilitators. Therapy services are available to all children in the Kellogg Child and Family Program. For more information about CDHH Speech-Language Therapy, contact Deb Kravit.
- Auditory-Verbal Therapy
Auditory-Verbal Therapy is a parent-centered approach that focuses on listening as the primary input for learning language. During therapy sessions, the parent, child and therapist engage in activities that teach the child to use sound meaningfully while wearing his or her hearing aid or cochlear implant. Auditory-Verbal Therapy is available at CDHH or as part of the CDHH Long-Distance Therapy Service. For more information, contact Amy Peters Lalios.
- Long-Distance Auditory-Verbal Therapy Services
By using Internet technology, you can receive regular Auditory-Verbal Therapy services for your child with hearing loss without having to leave your home, even if the nearest Auditory-Verbal Therapist is hundreds of miles away. With Long-Distance Auditory-Verbal Thearpy, you will receive services from professionals who are specifically certified and trained to work with children with hearing loss, and on-going guidance and suggestions for how to work with your child to develop their language and communication skills. For more information, contact Amy Peters Lalios.
- Parent Support Groups/Education Workshops
Parent support groups are open to any parent who has a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. These groups provide opportunities for open ended, facilitated discussion with other parents of a similar age child or parents of children with similar types of hearing loss. Educational Workshops cover topics of interest to a broad range of parents through guest speakers and panel discussions and are held throughout the year.
- Parent Resource Center
The CDHH Parent Resource Center is open to all families in the CDHH Child and Family Program and provides access to books, DVD's , videos and other materials related to hearing loss, communication options, parenting and Deaf Culture. Internet access is also available to provide a link to additional resources and articles. Materials can be borrowed free of charge.
- Parent/Child Sign Language Classes
Sign language classes are offered at CDHH throughout the year to help parents, caregivers and teachers learn to communicate more effectively with children in sign language. No experience necessary. Classes are taught by Deaf adults and class sizes are kept small. To see a listing of upcoming sign classes, CLICK HERE.
- Music Classes
Music classes are offered at CDHH throughout the year for children ages 6 months through 3 years old. Little Movers & Shakers is specifically designed for d/Deaf and hard of hearing children and their caregivers, and Kindermusik Community Sign & Sing is designed for any child in the community. Both classes help children expand their ability to listen and communicate by using a variety of instruments, rhythms, songs and movement. Classes are taught by Ruth Stuhr, Certified Kindermusik Instructor and CDHH Teacher of the Deaf. To see a listing of upcoming music classes, CLICK HERE.
- "Children of the Sun" Drum Troupe
As the first d/Deaf and hard of hearing drum troupe in the country, this highly innovative program provides a unique opportunity for young people who are deaf or hard of hearing to learn how to play music through African drumming and perform on stage in a variety of venues. The mission of the “Children of the Sun” Drum Troupe is to instill confidence and promote musical self-expression, appreciation and creativity while learning the discipline of music. Drumming lessons are offered at both CDHH and the Milwaukee Sign Language School. For more information about the "Children of the Sun", contact Deb Kravit. CLICK HERE to view a video of a Children of the Sun performance.
- Family Learning Vacation
Family Learning Vacation (FLV) is an annual event sponsored by CDHH where families with d/Deaf and hard of hearing children from all over Wisconsin get together for a weekend for fun, friendship and interesting workshops. FLV takes place at the Wisconsin Lions Camp in
Rosholt
,
WI
in August each year. FLV 2008 will take place August 15-17 and will feature Matt Rider, Training Specialist at the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University. For more information, contact Chris Kometer.
CLICK HERE to see pictures from Family Learning Vacation 2008! |
