The CHATTERBOX Program
Success for
hearing-impaired children depends a lot on each child's unique
abilities, their family's commitment and the expert
intervention and support of a team of dedicated professionals
working together with the family. Early intervention when it
comes to children with hearing impairments is critically
important. The earlier we intervene, the greater the
likelihood of success.
At Telethon Speech & Hearing,
we offer programs for hearing-impaired children from infancy
to age 6, as well as support programs for school age
children. These programs will assist you and your family
with the aim of developing your child's spoken language so
he or she can be part of the hearing world. |
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Chatterbox Playgroups
Our playgroups cater for
children up to three years old, and run either once or twice
per week, depending on age.
Specialist teachers of the deaf and teacher assistants work
with the children on developing their language, speech,
auditory, social and cognitive skills. These groups also
provide a chance for parents to meet with other families to
share ideas, compare experiences and provide a mutual support
network. |
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Chatterbox Kindergarten
Chatterbox Kindergarten is a curriculum-based
program which runs two full days a week. This program
creates a language-rich early learning environment. The classes
have a maximum of 15 students, allowing a great deal of special
attention to be paid to each child by not only a teacher, but also
a Centre-based audiologist, speech pathologist, occupational
therapist and psychologist.
Chatterbox Kindergarten takes both hearing
impaired and non-hearing impaired children to encourage good
communication between the two groups. The small class size allows
staff to pay particular attention to meeting each child's needs.
Chatterbox Kindergarten allows children to reach
their full potential in all aspects of development, and gets them
ready for school. This program makes use of the child's everyday
experiences and routines to develop listening, language and speech
skills.
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School Age Services
| Telethon Speech &
Hearing provides a choice of primary and secondary school
programs that offer extra support to hearing-impaired students
in mainstream classes in regular schools. In most schools, a
teacher of the deaf, and usually a teacher assistant, is
placed to work closely with regular classroom teachers to
support the hearing-impaired students in different grades. The
Secondary schools operate by using an oral interpreter/note
taker who work in the classroom directly with the hearing
impaired students to make sure they keep up with the demands
of secondary school subjects. |
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Interdisciplinary Services
Telethon Speech &
Hearing employs a team of highly qualified and experienced
specialists, including audiologists, speech pathologists,
occupational therapists, psychologists and teachers of the deaf,
to work alongside the children's classroom teachers. This ensures
that families have access to the highest level of professional
assistance and advice . Parents and their children benefit from
having all resources they require in one location.
Audiology
The Centre employs fully qualified
and experienced audiologists to supervise the audiological
management of all the hearing-impaired children in our care. The
audiology suite is equipped with sound booths and a range of
sophisticated testing equipment. Our audiology team makes sure
that each hearing-impaired child has properly fitted and
appropriate amplification. Services provided include Tympanometry
(ear screening) and Auditory Processing Tests.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
OT is an integral part of our
programs at Telethon Speech & Hearing, as many children
require some support to develop strong motor skills,
regulation of the sensory skills and mastery over things
such as learning to cut, write and to play games with rules.
We have a large brand new, Occupational Therapy gymnasium
which has a large indoor floor activity area, assessment
room, fine motor group room and sensory room. The state of
the art design has given special consideration to minimising
the transfer of noise and creating an outstanding listening
and learning environment. A sound field amplification system
is installed to optimise the instructional listening
environment. With 3 occupational therapists working from the
Centre, families are able to request OT assessment,
consultation and therapy on site.
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Speech Pathology
We have two speech
pathologists on site, who also work with the children. They
work in the classrooms and on an individual basis if
required.
Psychology
Telethon Speech & Hearing
employ two psychologists who are available to assist
families with counseling, parent workshops, information,
resources and individual consultations. They also assess
children where an evaluation of their cognitive skills is
required.
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Regional Assistance - Video Conferencing
Video conferencing enables
families in remote locations to access our support programs.
The conferencing is offered as part of our RESCU (Remote
Education Services Conferencing Unit) program and is
generously funded by the Federal Government, the Telstra
Foundation and Liquorland (via United Way).
Video conferencing is a phone
call that has the added bonus of real time video. Real time
video means that a person in a remote location can see and
work with our teachers and professionals. A network of
locations is administered by the health department of
Western Australia. This network (the
TELEHEALTH Network) provides many locations where
video conferencing is available. There are currently about
100 sites throughout Western Australia. |
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Cochlear Implant Services
Thanks to the technology of cochlear
implants, a new world of meaningful sound and communication has
opened up for many profoundly deaf children and their families. At
Telethon Speech & Hearing, our team of professionals works closely
with Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (PMH) to provide a
cochlear implant service. As an implant is not the answer for
every child, it is important that families understand what
implants can do and to make sure every child who receives an
implant uses it to their best advantage.
| We can help you and
your family to access implant surgery either through the
public hospital system or privately for those with suitable
health cover. Telethon Speech & Hearing is conveniently
located near PMH and St John of God Hospital, Subiaco. We work
closely with the families to counsel and prepare them for the
operation and post-operative habilitation. |
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