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Enhanced Child Find through Newborn Hearing Screening (2000-2005)
Overview
This project was funded through the US Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs. The objective of the project was to develop, implement, evaluate and disseminate a model demonstration project that promotes early identification and intervention for all eligible children under IDEA Part C in the state of Connecticut through mandatory newborn hearing screening. The goal of this project was to provide information, education, and support for families whose infants did not pass the initial hearing screen and are referred for further evaluation and early intervention (if eligible). The project included the development of informational, educational, and support materials (written booklets, videotapes, and website) for both parents and service providers.
Major Activities
Three products were developed during the life of the project: two videotapes and a tracking tool.
- A Parent’s Guide: Newborn Hearing Screening—This 18-minute videotape is an educational resource design to expedite the identification of hearing loss in newborns. Through a special blend of interviews, this videotape helps promote a better understanding of early communication development, and empowers parents with practical information about the hearing screening and follow up process. Available in three formats: English closed-captioned, Spanish closed- captioned and American Sign Language. To order a DVD please click here.
- A Parent’s Guide: Early Intervention for Infants and Young Children with Hearing Loss—This 16 minute videotape is designed for parents of infants and young children with hearing loss. The videotape helps promote a better understanding of the early intervention process, and introduces families to amplification, parent-to-parent support, and various communication options. Available in three formats: English closed-captioned, Spanish closed-captioned and American Sign Language. To order a DVD please click here.
- Medical Tracking Tool for pediatric healthcare providers to ensure appropriate follow up of infants for diagnostic testing and to assess hearing through childhood. This tool provides healthcare providers, who are expected to see infants twelve times in the first two years life, a quick reference for following infants who:
- Refer from the hospital after failing a hearing screen
- Are eligible for early intervention services based on diagnostic testing
- Are diagnosed with mild or unilateral loss and therefore, do not qualify for early intervention, but do require periodic monitoring.
To download the Medical Tracking Tool, please click here.
Publications
Click here to view publications for this project
Contact
Gabriela Freyre-Calish, MSWPhone: (860) 679.1563
E-mail: freyre@nso2.uchc.edu
Early Childhood initiatives at the UCEDD focus on evidenced based practices and learning outcomes. We provide training and technical assistance to early interventionists, teachers, therapists, service coordinators, policy makers and families on a variety of areas including social competence, early literacy, early childhood outcomes, service coordination practices, and evidenced based intervention practices.
School Age initiatives at the UCEDD focus on the inclusion of children with disabilities in typical school and community life. We provide training and technical assistance to families, school personnel and community members in a variety of areas including the special education process, inclusive education, adapted curriculum, assistive technology, disability awareness and person-centered planning.
Adult initiatives at the UCEDD focus on including people with disabilities in their communities. We provide training and technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, state agencies, service providers and other community members in a variety of areas including the hiring of personal assistants, accessible transportation, emergency preparedness and response, and health care.