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Most states offer early intervention parent/infant programs
through the local school system for parents and children with
disabilities up to age three. These programs are free of charge
as required by federal law. The school system evaluates your
child and then develops a plan with your family for your child
based on the evaluation. This plan is named the Individual Family
Service Plan, or IFSP.
A good parent/infant program provides consultation on acquiring
hearing aids and assistive listening devices, parent counseling,
explanation of the various communication options for children
with hearing loss, and training in the communication option selected
on the advice of professionals and the preference of the family.
It is important to note that under these federally mandated parent/infant
programs, parents are entitled to help select the communication
option for their child. The emphasis in these programs is on
working with the family unit, not just the child with the hearing
loss.
In addition to the public school, there may be a private parent/infant
program for children with hearing loss in your community. If
you are interested in privately-run programs emphasizing oral
communication, contact AG Bell for more information.
© 2004 AAO-HNS/AAO-HNSF
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