| Working with Children with Hearing Impairment
Under Five
The Team for Children with Hearing Impairment
supports families and their child with hearing
impairment following diagnosis. Since the
introduction of the Neonatal Hearing Screening
Programme in April 2004, diagnosis is often very
soon after birth and babies may have hearing aids
when they are a few months old.
Teachers of the Deaf, working with families and
young babies and children, receive additional
training to ensure that appropriate specialist
support is given to meet the needs of each
individual family and child.
We put a strong emphasis on empowering parents.
We acknowledge that they know their child best and
strive to give them as much information about
deafness as possible, so that they can make
informed choices for their child.
Staff in the Team organise a Baby Group (birth to
two) and Playgroup (18 months to 4). These groups
provide valuable opportunities for parents to meet
and support each other.
We maintain strong links with the health
service (Speech and Language Therapy/Audiology/
ENT/ Cochlear Implant Programme) so that families
are supported by a multi-disciplinary team.
We introduce all families to the Early Support
Materials and use the Monitoring Protocol for Deaf
Babies and Children to help families track their
child’s progress.
We provide a ‘Parent Pack’ which includes
information about the team, local and national
agencies, plus ideas to develop listening skills
and communication at home. This pack is provided
in a variety of languages.
Teachers and Educational Audiologists also
provide advice about children’s progress and
needs. This will include written advice if it is
decided to carry out a statutory assessment of a
child’s educational needs.
The Team offer training and support in
nurseries and child care settings. Links are
maintained between the team and primary school for
the deaf, resource bases and mainstream nurseries
and schools, in order to support a smooth
transition into nursery/school.
School Age
We provide a range of support for children who
wear hearing aids and cochlear implants in
mainstream and special schools. We recognise that
during their school career children have a variety
of needs and our support is flexible in order to
accommodate this. At any time it may include the
following:
- Advice to staff regarding access to the
curriculum
- Advice to staff on the differentiation of
delivery and curriculum
- Individual and small group teaching
- In class support
- Audiological assessment
- Audiological support (hearing aids, radio aids,
soundfield systems, technical equipment)
- In service training
- Team teaching
- School based assessment
- Assessment for statements
- Advice on IEPs, SATs, GCSEs and A levels
- Advice and guidance to parents and school staff
- Support in transition
Opportunities are given for children with
hearing impairment in mainstream schools to meet
children from other schools and to share
experiences. Secondary aged children meet
regularly in friendship groups and we organise
outings for children at all key stages.
Strong links with specialist resource bases and
schools for the deaf are maintained, as we
recognise that some children need to change their
educational placement.
Regular support is also provided for students
with hearing impairment in local colleges.
Sharing Information
Close links are maintained with other
professionals and there are regular contacts with
health services, ENT consultants, audiologists,
health visitors and school nurses. We also liaise
with specialist social workers, speech and
language therapists, educational psychologists and
other professionals.
Training
The Team for Children with a Hearing
Impairment provides in service training courses
for school staff, early years providers and health
services. We have a range of information leaflets
for distribution. We also offer deaf awareness
sessions in school assemblies or with other more
specific target groups.
Referrals
In the first instance, referrals are from many
sources; ENT consultants, audiologists, schools,
services and parents. If you have a child who you
feel is having hearing difficulties please refer
to your local GP or school nurse, as appropriate.
There is a range of
Support Organisations for families with children who have a hearing impairment. |
