deaf and hard of hearing programs in the tdsb tim myrden program coordinator deaf and hard of...

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs in the TDSB

Tim Myrden Program Coordinator

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Who we serve

• Over 1000 students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• Students from age 3 to 21

• Students with sensorineural hearing loss, sustained

conductive loss, auditory neuropathy, and Auditory

Processing Disorder.

Age of Diagnosis to School Entry

Early Learning Program• Home Visiting (Regular sessions with parents/guardians and child to develop

communication skills)

• Sessions continue until school entry

• Preschool Classes @ Wexford PS and Fairbank Memorial

Age 3 to 21 years old

Intensive Support Programs (ISP)

• Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8 (five sites) and Secondary departments to age 21 years old (two

sites).

• Students with significant bilateral hearing loss and delays in communication and language development

• Small class placement with qualified staff

• Various modes of communication including speaking and use of sign language based on the students

needs

Elementary ISP sites

• Faywood ABC School (SW)•Bridlewood Jr. P.S. (NE)

•Wexford P.S. (SE)•Dublin Heights E. & M.S. (NW)

•McMurrich P.S. (SW)

Secondary ISP sites

•Northern S.S.•Drewry S.S.

Itinerant Services For Children

Attending Their Home School • Direct Instruction (1 to 3 sessions

a week)

• Program Support (once a month visits usually for equipment only)

• Monitoring (2 – 3 times a year)

* For students in regular public schools

Co-enrollment Program

• JK/SK program

• Currently located at Wexford PS, Fairbank Memorial and H.A. Halbert

• Integrated into regular JK/SK for half day/ small class intensive

support for half day

• Supported by qualified staff

Referral Process

• Referrals and audiograms to the Central Itinerant

• Access to Regional Special Education Support Referral Forms

• For new referrals, initial assessments are completed by

Itinerant department and Program Coordinator

Resource Team

• Program Coordinator – Deaf and Hard of Hearing• Central Itinerant• Early Education Services Lead Teacher• Audiologist• Speech-Language Pathologist• Social Worker• Resource Teacher

The Role of the TDSB Audiologist

• FM system management

• Electroacoustic assessment of personal hearing aids

•Assessment of auditory skills

• Liaison with staff

The Role of the TDSB Audiologist

• Liaison with clinical audiologists, hearing aid/FM manufacturers and

hearing aid dispensers

• Provide materials and/or educate students, staff, and parents regarding

issues related to hearing loss and deafness

• Inservice to staff

The Role of the TDSB SLP

• Speech-language assessments of Deaf/Hard of Hearing students (all programs - upon referral)

• Consultation to school staff & parents

• Provide input regarding program planning and IEP goals (including literacy and linking to the

curriculum)

• Provide inservice to classroom teachers, Itinerants, educational assistants

• Facilitate referrals and liaise with outside agencies, as appropriate

The Role of the TDSB Social Worker

• Work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing students with social and emotional

issues related to hearing loss

• Consultation to school staff & parents

• Provide inservice to classroom teachers, students and Itinerants

• Facilitate referrals and liaise with outside agencies, as appropriate

Question and Answer

My contact info: tim.myrden@tdsb.on.ca

Thank you!