Auditory-Oral Preschool

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Information on Auditory - Oral Approaches

Contact Information

To receive more information, request brochures or arrange for a visit, please contact:

Ms. Janet Knust, Instructor
Telephone: 757.247.8108 or 1.800.666.0041
E-mail: janet.knust@vsdbmh.virginia.gov

Auditory - Oral Preschool Information

This program offers comprehensive educational services for deaf and hard of hearing preschoolers whose families are seeking auditory/oral instruction for their children. With the advent of cochlear implants and high technology amplification, more deaf and hard of hearing children than ever have the potential to learn to use speech as their primary mode of communication. The VSDBM-H Auditory/Oral Preschool Program addresses these new and changing needs. Helping students develop the language and listening skills necessary to be successfully integrated in general education classes is the goal of this program.

The Auditory/Oral Approach

The auditory/oral approach used in this program is one of a variety of strategies to teach deaf and hard of hearing children. It adapts techniques used in auditory/verbal therapy to a classroom situation. This approach emphasizes the use of residual hearing (the hearing that remains) in teaching the deaf or hard of hearing child to learn spoken language. The primary goal of this model is to improve students’ abilitiesto express their needs, wants and opinions using spoken language. Students use the latest technology available (high powered hearing aids, cochlear implants, sound field and/or Frequency Modulation (FM) systems) as they learn to listen and comprehend what they hear. This enables them to develop essential communication skills. Children using this educational approach can be quickly integrated into the general education setting. To achieve these goals, a program is required in which:

• a non-signing environment is maintained
• amplification technology is consistently monitored by the teacher and educational audiologist
  
• age – appropriate language models are provided
• spoken English is taught, not a form of Signed English or American Sign Language (ASL)

This program provides:

• an auditory/oral classroom in which listening and speaking are the means of communication used and taught
• instruction focuses on auditory learning strategies
• a language-centered environment
• integration with non-disabled peers for language modeling and socialization
• instruction by a certified teacher of the hearing-impaired
• support services by speech/language pathologists, an educational audiologist and skilled staff
• involvement in enrichment classes such as Art, Music, Physical Education and Library/Media
• a program to meet the needs of hearing-impaired children transitioning out of parent-infant programs

Enrollment

Open Enrollment Flyer

• Students must be eligible for preschool special education services. Typically, students of this program will be between 3 to 5 years old
• It is strongly recommended that students are toilet-trained
• Classes meet from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday
• Breakfast and a mid-morning snack are provided