EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES
FOR DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING INFANTS AND TODDLERS

The Early Intervention Team provides intervention services to infants in programs identified through universal newborn screening programs sponsored by birthing centers and hospitals through Western Massachusetts. The Community-Based Division does have a collaborative relationship with Baystate Health Systems for the provision of immediate services to infants identified through the birthing centers sponsored by Baystate through the screening process. The Willie Ross Early Intervention Team also has relationships with a number of early intervention teams and often acts in concert with the teams and other birthing centers to provide services to infants or toddlers with a hearing loss.

Evaluation and assessment are conducted by a multidisciplinary team in order to assess the specific strengths and needs of the child and the family. The Multidisciplinary Team typically consists of: the Parents/Caregivers, an Audiologist, a Speech/Language pathologist, and a Teacher of the Deaf. Additional specialists, such as a Social Worker, are added to the team on an as-needed basis.

The Early Intervention Team develops and implements family service plans which consist of, but are not limited to, the following specific components. Objective information is distributed and explained regarding hearing loss, audiological needs, auditory management, and communication methodologies.

Assistance is provided to parents and caregivers in the development of their child's speech and language skills, and direct speech and language services are provided. Speech and language assessments are conducted. The Team provides intervention strategies to promote child development for social, emotional, self-help, and communicative skills, based on parental preferences.

Coordination of appropriate access to other intervention services, primary care physicians, ENT's and all other appropriate agencies is available. Home visits are an integral part of the service. Audiological management is an important part of the service plan. The Curtis L. Blake Center for Audiological Services which is located on the Longmeadow campus of the Willie Ross School and The Laurin Audiological Center which is located in Berkshire Commons, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, offer the following services: hearing evaluations, hearing aid evaluation, hearing aid dispensing, earmold impressions, hearing aid fitting and orientating, hearing aid repair, loaner hearing aids, consultation, and assistance to parents and families.

Sign language programs for parents are available on a family-by-family basis through home visits and in small group classes held at the Longmeadow campus for those with a desire to learn to sign.

Note: all staff on the Early Intervention team are credentialed and licensed according to their specific requirements.