Birth to Three American School for the Deaf

Early Childhood Intervention Program

ASD's Birth-to-Three Program provides statewide comprehensive home and community-based services for deaf and hard of hearing infants and children (from birth to age three) and their families. We provide families with accurate, unbiased information regarding hearing loss, cochlear implants, hearing aids, and all communication approaches available from American Sign Language to listening/spoken language. Services are provided year-round with flexible hours to meet the needs of each family. The ASD Birth-to-Three Program is approved as a hearing specialty provider within the State of Connecticut Birth-to-Three Delivery System.

A Holistic Approach

photo of students around a table at snack time

At ASD, we focus on developing the whole child. Our team of highly specialized audiologists, Speech Language Pathologists, teachers of the deaf, occupational and physical therapists, and social workers work with families to develop appropriate service plans to meet the individual needs of each child and family. Our team works together to ensure that the children enrolled in our Birth-to-Three program have the tools they need to develop a strong language foundation, which they will carry with them throughout their lives.

We understand that every child is unique. We are the only option in Connecticut to offer a bilingual environment. Our bilingual approach integrates American Sign Language and spoken English to provide children with exposure to both languages while preparing them for future success intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. We serve children with all degrees of hearing loss and we are equipped to work with all deaf and hard of hearing children, regardless of their preferred communication approach.

Family Support

ASD understands that parents and families of young deaf and hard of hearing children need support. They may feel overwhelmed with the choices available for their children and are unsure of where to turn. ASD is dedicated to providing families with accurate, unbiased information regarding hearing loss and the various communication approaches available including auditory/verbal, cued speech, and American Sign Language. Meeting other parents and deaf adults also provides an important source of information and support. We offer opportunities for families to come together to learn the tools available to help their children thrive, including our Deaf Mentor Program, weekly playgroups, and ASL classes. All ASD Birth-to-Three services follow the state-mandated Family Coaching Model. Our goal is to provide families with the tools and resources they need to help their children build a strong language foundation. We help families look forward to everything tomorrow will bring, while preparing their children for futures where they are…ALL ways able.

Specialized Staff

photo of a teacher interacting with students

Our service providers are certified professionals who specialize in supporting families with infants and young deaf and hard of hearing children, including those with additional developmental needs. Our pediatric audiologists have extensive experience working with very young children with hearing loss ranging from mild to profound. All staff meet the Connecticut Birth-to-Three personnel standards.

ASD's experienced team of audiologists perform hearing tests differently than some other programs. Whereas it is common for only one audiologist to perform hearing tests on young children, ASD allows for two audiologists to work together to complete the tests. One audiologist accompanies the baby and family during the test to help answer questions and provide support, while a second audiologist performs the test in the testing booth. This dual approach provides parents with the security that they are not alone during this experience, while also allowing the opportunity for questions to be asked about the process. In addition to the added comfort, two experienced audiologists allow for more accurate testing and thorough results.

Prior to enrolling in ASD's Birth-to-Three program, each child has been diagnosed with hearing loss. Therefore, our audiologists work with the child and family to determine the exact nature of the hearing loss, explore amplification options, and develop a plan for the child's audiological success.

Comprehensive Services

Upon enrolling within ASD's Birth-to-Three program, each child receives a comprehensive assessment. Working together, the family and service provider then develop an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). Based on a family's choice in the method of communicating with their child, our services can be provided to support auditory/verbal and/or sign language communication systems. Provided year-round with flexible hours to meet the needs of each family, services may include: