Mission

Chattering Children offers a center-based spoken language program for children with hearing loss. Using our approach, young deaf children learn to think, listen, talk, and learn without using sign language.

Listening skills are developed through structured and natural listening activities.

Using listening skills as the foundation, speech and language skills are systematically developed in a natural, real-life, and conversational context. Children with normal hearing and typically-developing language skills are also enrolled in our school programs, to act as language models. These skills are further integrated into social and academic skills as these children reach school age. The goal is to enable all children to function in a typical classroom socially, emotionally and academically.

The program is family oriented. Parents are closely involved in this process and are expected to commit significant time and effort to their child’s communication development. Our goal is for children to be successful in a typical school with their normal-hearing peers, to communicate with neighborhood children and to be independent communicators requiring minimal support services.

Services Offered

All children with hearing loss are eligible for our services no matter the degree of hearing loss. We also welcome typically-developing children who would benefit from the enriched group environment. Our services are for children from 18-mos to 7 years old, and include but are not limited to:

• Auditory-Verbal Therapy • SPEAK UP auditory-oral school • Mainstream Services • Consultations for School Districts • Evaluations/Assessments • IEP consultations

Items Needed

Wireless printer and/or copy machine/fax (MAC-compatible)

Books with CD's for 3-10 year olds are needed to help our hearing-impaired children learn to read. Listening to the spoken word and reading it a the same time promotes the acquisition or reading skills and is especially valuable for children who have to concentrate to listen.

Volunteer Opportunities

- inventory our books and toys - various projects for each of our teachers - landscaping - major maintenance projects (window-washing, painting)