FAQs for Parents See also GENERAL FAQs and PROFESSIONAL FAQS
Why
is it important for a deaf child to learn to talk?
Today’s hearing technologies, early intervention and targeted,
individualized teaching methods make it possible for most deaf and
hearing-impaired children to learn to listen, talk, read and participate
socially and academically in regular classrooms. Learning the English
language is important to learning to read and forms the basis for academic
success.
How do you teach deaf and hard of hearing children to read if you can't use phonics? We do use phonics. Our pediatric audiologists ensure the students have optimal access to auditory information from their hearing aids and/or cochlear implants. We teach our children to read using all of the same methods, strategies and curricula used to teach hearing children to read.
How long would my child attend CID? Every child develops skills at his or her own rate. Our goal is to get kids out to their neighborhood schools as soon as possible. For some children, a good time to mainstream is when their language level is equal to that of peers with whom they will work in the same classroom. For older children, we also look at reading skills. We like their reading skills to be at the same level as that of their classmates. We work closely with families to ensure they know our recommendations and that any placement is a group decision. If needed, support is available for children when they enter the public school system.
Is there an agency that can help us pay for hearing aids? Missouri and Illinois both have early intervention systems that will help with all assistive technology needed for a child to achieve outcomes. Some insurance companies have paid for a portion of hearing aid costs, with the remainder billed through state early intervention programs. Many of the Medicaid programs provide appropriate hearing aids, and several other agencies also may help. CID audiologists and Joanne Parrish Knight Family Center staff can answer other questions about that first pair of hearing aids.
If your child needs a second set of hearing aids, you should contact the HIKE Fund and your local Variety Club. Insurance companies should always be encouraged to pay. Many states are putting out mandates, but this varies from state to state. If your child is a CID student, our audiology staff can help your family explore the options.
Sometimes my child seems to hear without hearing aids. Do you really think he needs them? Children who are deaf or hard of hearing sometimes may detect sounds without their hearing aids because they have what's called "residual" hearing. It's important to remember that these children have access to more sounds with their hearing aids on than they do with them off. They need to hear all of the sounds that make up speech in order to include them in their spoken language.
Access to all sounds, at every possible waking moment, will give your child the best opportunity to develop spoken language without omitting certain sounds they cannot hear without their hearing aids.
I don't think my child is getting what he or she needs in school, what should we do? You can reconvene an Individualized Educational Plan (bring the IEP team together to reassess the plan for your child). It is sometimes wise to bring someone with you, a friend who can be a second set of ears or an advocate who knows the law. Public schools are mandated to provide an appropriate education for your child. You may contact CID’s assessment and admissions coordinator, Andrea Osman, to ask questions about what CID offers.
Do you provide transportation to your school? CID does not provide our students transportation to and from school. If your child is receiving services through a public school contract, the school district may transport your child or reimburse you for travel expenses. If your child is coming to CID through early intervention, both states will reimburse mileage, but will not provide transportation. You will need to apply and get approval from the early intervention system before any reimbursement can be obtained.
Do you have a dorm? No. We closed our residential program several years ago; however, many families choose to move to the St. Louis area so their children can attend. Please contact our admissions coordinator, Andrea Osman, for help and support in this process.
Where can I learn the basics about hearing loss and children? For an excellent list of FAQs on hearing loss and children, visit OptionSchools International.
Where can I learn about legal rights and advocacy for my child? We recommend the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf for parents who need this kind of information. Find out if this organization has a chapter where you live.
CID's mission is to teach
children who are deaf and hard of hearing to listen, talk, read and succeed.
We partner with families and collaborate with universities, educators and
other professionals worldwide to help children communicate and achieve to
their fullest potential.
CID teachers weave speech,
listening and language instruction throughout the academic curriculum to
prepare students for work in mainstream educational settings. Literacy, natural language and social
skills are also developed as part of a program emphasizing the whole child.
Our highly individualized,
comprehensive program meets children's needs and gives them a solid
foundation for success. Most CID graduates go to college and pursue
professional careers.
CID serves children with hearing
loss birth-12 and preschoolers with language delays.
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