Outreach Education Services
A variety of educational and technical assistance is provided to local school districts throughout the state of Connecticut. Coordinator of Outreach Education responds to school requests for assistance with the development of an appropriate Individual Education Plan, or I.E.P. This can be supported by a teacher of the deaf, an educational consultant, psychologist or counselor, audiologist, cochlear implant specialist, sign language instructor, and/or vocational specialist. Services are reviewed on a regular basis in cooperation with the local school district, and modifications of programs are part of the process provided by a highly qualified staff trained in the field of deafness.
Teacher of the Deaf Services
- Direct academic instruction for language and communication support
- Assistance for accessing information via sign or oral support and/or classroom captioning during instruction
- Clarification and repletion of instructions through visual cues and modeling of instruction
- Pre-teaching and re-teaching when challenging new material is presented
- Monitoring of FM systems when used with hearing aids
- Speech and language instruction
Supervision for Teachers of the Deaf is provided to local school districts along with program planning at the annual PPT.
Educational Consultant Services
Local school districts can request consultation services
An Educational Consultant observes the deaf/hard of hearing student in the classroom and makes recommendations for programming. Consulting services may include, but are not limited to:
- Monthly or bi-monthly visits to the classroom to provide support to the classroom teacher
- Assistance in coordinating services within the public school program
- Provision of resources to meet IEP required services
- Attendance at PPT meetings to assist in recommendations for programming and/or refinement of services
Technical Assistance for Teachers and Staff
- Educational and technical assistance professionals are also available to assist local schools with:
- Distance learning opportunities to bridge public school programs with ASD
- Access to instructional materials, parent lending library and software
- Support of subject area instruction, advice and technology training and assistance are available through ASD's Information Technologies Services Department
Interpreting Services
The ASD offers interpreting services on a limited basis. Consultation and training are provided for educational interpreters with a focus on the inherent needs within a classroom. This service is intended to support the classroom teacher, and is provided in programs where an ASD teacher of the deaf is a member of the school's team.
All services are reviewed on a regular basis, and program modification is part of the process provided by qualified staff trained in the area of deafness.
Training, Workshops & Seminars
In-service training is offered on topics that support deaf and hard of hearing students' needs, including:
- Autism and the deaf child
- Behavior modification
- Cochlear implants
- Language development
- Audiology and equipment
- Aural habilitation
- Cochlear implants
- Sign language
- Syndromes commonly associated with hearing loss
- Health issues
- Specially designed workshops may also be requested.
Evaluation Services
Independent evaluations include:
Psychological Evaluations & Testing
- Intelligence and cognitive function
- Visual-motor and visual-perceptual skills
- Screening for learning and other disabilities
- Personality and mental status
Educational Evaluations & Testing
- Academic skills
- Receptive and expressive language
- Processing and learning style
Transition Services
On a student's 15th birthday, or earlier as determined by the PPT, transition planning can be coordinated with a certified rehabilitation counselor from ASD. Active participation by your deaf or hard of hearing student will ensure successful planning as it relates to a supportive college environment, post-secondary training, employment, independent living and community participation.
