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Oral Deaf Education Preschool Program

Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center is proud to offer a unique program for children ages birth to 5 years who are deaf or hard of hearing. The program was developed in collaboration with Jean Moog, who is an internationally recognized leader in oral deaf education. The preschool and early intervention program implement the Moog Curriculum for teaching deaf children to talk. Learning to talk is an option and a reality with significant advances in technology, allowing maximum access to sound provided through cochlear implants and hearing aids.

Mission Statement

The mission of the infant program, preschool and early intervention program is to teach deaf and heard of hearing children to talk. The goal of the program is to successfully mainstream children into a typical classroom setting with hearing peers in their home school district.

Educational Philosophy

The goal is for children to become proficient enough in spoken language to use it as their primary means of communicating. Intensive therapy sessions are provided to achieve individualized language goals and objectives for each child. Children are organized into small groups for very focused spoken language instruction for part of the day. The rest of their day is spent in a classroom that resembles any early childhood or preschool setting.

Parents play an extremely important role in their child's program. Parent training and support groups are offered help parents understand about deafness and hearing impairments and how to work with their child throughout their early stages of education.

History

The Oral Deaf Education Program was founded in September 2003. With emerging technological advances for the deaf and hard of hearing, and implementation of the newborn screening, the program was established to provide an oral option to students in the Western New York area.

Our Staff

A multidisciplinary team providing services include a speech language pathologist, special education teachers/teachers of the deaf, teacher Aide, Audiologist, and Music Therapist. Other team members could include an Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist, which are available if required on a child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Educational Programs

Preschool Program

For children ages 3-5 years that are eligible for the program, classes operate 5 full days a week. The daily schedule is a combination of small group intensive therapy sessions and large group classroom activities. The classroom team consists of staff that are well trained in implementing the Moog Curriculum. A multidisciplinary team providing services include a Speech- Language Pathologist, Special Education Teacher/teacher of the deaf, Teacher Aide, Audiologist and music therapist. Other team members could include occupational therapy and physical therapy which are available if required on a child's Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). The IEP is developed by the Committee on Preschool Education in the child's school district. Parent support groups and training sessions are a part of this component. This program is funded through the NYS Education Department.

Early Intervention Classroom

For children who are eligible between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, a 1⁄2 day classroom program is available 5 days a week. The program is a unique combination of classroom sessions and parent training/support groups at the Center. The daily schedule consists of small group activities, pull out therapy sessions and individualized language experiences within the classroom. For toddlers who may not be ready for the classroom environment, therapy continues to be provided at home and/or individually at the Center.

Parent / Infant Program

Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center offers Early Intervention Services to serve children age’s birth to 3 years who experience hearing loss and delays in development. This program provides home-based services by speech language pathologists, teachers of the deaf or special education teachers to appropriately guide and support families of newly diagnosed children with hearing impairment. Services could also include parent support groups, parent/infant group, family training and parental informational meetings.

Audiological

The on-site audiologists at Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat a variety of hearing disorders in children and adults. Our certified and licensed staff provide on-going support of all amplification devices. Specifically, the audiologists trained to work in the oral deaf education program perform audiological evaluations, program and troubleshoot cochlear implants and work closely with our educational staff and families. The clinical audiology department provides on-going service for children during and beyond their preschool years at the center.

Admission Procedures

For children, ages birth to 3 years, the Center works with the county in which the family resides to determine eligibility and develop an appropriate Individualized Family Service Plan.

Children ages 3 to 5 years, who are diagnosed with a hearing impairment, communication and/or developmental disabilities and are in need of special education services may be eligible for preschool services. The program is coordinated through local school districts Committee on Preschool Education (CPSE). The CPSE determines the child's eligibility for services and recommends the appropriate level of service to meet the child's needs.

Tuition

Funding for the Early Intervention Program is provided by the state and county Department of Health. Funding for the Preschool Program is provided by the New York State Education Department and NYS Department of Health. For children not eligible through NYS Department of Health State Education Programs, a tution rate and scholarships are available.