Parent-Infant Program

Parent-Infant Program (brochure)

Toy Guide:  Excellent resource listing suggested age-appropriate toys and the benefits they provide to your child

Language Experience Book  Adapted from Topic 20 of SKI*HI's Communication Interactions

The NDSD/RC Parent/Infant Program is a family-focused program for young deaf and hard of hearing children, ages birth to THREE/FIVE years, and their families.  The family-centered program is one that is individualized to meet the needs of the family and the learning style of the child. Through natural and targeted daily activities, families are encouraged to develop the following:

• Listening skills
• Auditory development
• Communication skills
• Language development
• Speech development

Other topics of discussion/instruction include:

• Amplification (use and care)
• Educational options
• Communication opportunities and options
• Strategies to elicit language (spoken and/or signed)

The Parent-Infant Program offers opportunities to families that include:

• Community and state-wide workshops
• Parent to parent support through activities regionally (Family Learning Vacations)
• Contact with other deaf/hard-of-hearing children and adults
• Deaf Awareness activities

Referrals, management, and provision of services to families of deaf and hard of hearing infants ad children are coordinated with other agencies through cooperative agreements.  Some of the agencies included in the collaborative process are:

• Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
• Developmental Disabilities Case Management (DD)
• Infant Development programs
• Private therapy providers
• Audiologists
• Hands and Voices
• Family Voices
• Dual Sensory
• School programs/Part B
• Daycares

Prior to a child's third birthday, the PIP program is also able to participate in transition planning focusing on educational placement and the needs of the student as it relates to the impact of the hearing loss.  Our staff may be called upon to do a variety of assessments that will help the team determine eligibility and services once the child transitions to school programming.