Desert Voices Oral Learning Center, Arizona's only private oral education school for children up to eight years old, is reaching out to the professionals who diagnose hearing loss and provide counseling to parents on communication and education options for their child. Through an introductory mailing to 3500 referral agencies, physicians and speech pathologists, Desert Voices wishes to educate these professionals on a new resource, Birth to Three. Birth to Three, a new program at Desert Voices, is for parents who want their children to be oral communicators and have an oral education. The earlier we can enroll hearing-impaired children into our program, the greater their opportunity for success. The speech pathologist focuses on developing awareness of sound using language, play and varying activities.
Parents participate in the sessions to learn how to work with their child independently.
This unique environment helps the child transition into the full-day program at the age of three. In addition to information on Birth to Three, Desert Voices is offering free MAKE a joyful noise parent information kits. A parent handbook is also included. The handbook provides parents with information on the causes and risk factors of hearing loss, how to manage their emotions, communication options, healthcare support systems, how to advocate for their child, auditory technology, hearing tests and agency resources. Desert Voices hopes that the healthcare professionals will share these resources with families when they are deciding on the best method of communication for their child.