Spring Edition: Talking about Florida

Spring Edition: Offering resources and tips to ensure uninterrupted support for students who are deaf or hard of hearing in Florida.

Tips for Educating Children with Hearing Loss

The concept of least restrictive environment (LRE) is a foundational element of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for all students with disabilities. However, LRE can often be misunderstood for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). The Florida Individual Performance Profile (FLIPP) is a multi-purpose data-based discussion tool that presents a ‘picture’ of standardized and functional assessments for children who are DHH. It helps determine a student’s needs of their educational programming, including placement in the least restrictive environment.

To access the FLIPP, visit the RMTC-D/HH LRE page. For more information or training on the FLIPP, please contact info@rmtcdhh.org.

Established in 1978 by the Florida Legislature (Florida Statute 1003.55), the Resource Materials and Technology Center for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (RMTC-D/HH) is a statewide discretionary project of the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS). RMTC-D/HH works collaboratively with all Florida stakeholders to positively influence outcomes of students who are deaf or hard of hearing in preparation for college, career, and life. RMTC-D/HH supports families and school personnel by researching current national and state initiatives, by procuring interventions, curricula and assessments, and by utilizing data to assist stakeholders in implementing instructional practices. The project provides statewide coordination for the delivery of specialized technology and instructional materials to students who are DHH, as well as training and technical assistance to educators and families of students who are DHH.

View the Florida Individual Performance Profile (FLIPP) Manual here.

Resources

In Support of Teacher of the Deaf Services

To advocate for any amount of service, all members of a student’s support team must understand the role of the teacher of the deaf (TOD). What exactly does a TOD do and how can you explain this to those with whom you collaborate? An excellent Hearing Itinerant Service Rubric is attached to this article.

#LSLsuccess Story

Meet Eliana

Eliana has moderate to severe hearing loss and uses hearing aids. Eliana participated in Clarke’s tVisit® Teleservices Program for early intervention from six months of age through three years of age. Eliana receives continued teleservices through Clarke’s Auditory Oral Grant which is a Florida DOE BEESS Discretionary Project. Through early intervention services, Eliana stayed on track with her peers who have typical hearing.

She is currently enrolled and thriving in her public-school district’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program. Brooke, Eliana’s mom stated that “Early intervention has played a large part in helping Eliana learn listening and spoken language. Her speech, language and social skills are on par with typical hearing peers allowing her to participate in activities she enjoys, such as hockey, ice skating and gymnastics.”

Events

Kilwins Jacksonville Ice Cream Run

March 25, 2023

Nemours Conference: A Virtual Collaborative Event for Teachers, Therapists, Audiologists, and Parents Working with Children with Hearing Loss in the Schools

May 5, 2023

For registration information, please email the link here.

Webinar Series for Families: tVisit® Teleservices for Children of All Ages

May 16, 2023

Pre-register for Clarke's Webinars for Families and Webinars for Professionals. Sign up to be the first to receive information about these knowledge-sharing events.

About Us and This Newsletter

"Talking About Florida" is a quarterly newsletter produced by Clarke Florida that serves as a resource for families and professionals. The newsletter is made possible through the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS)  Discretionary Project Auditory-Oral Education Grant.

Clarke Florida serves children and families by providing a wide range of auditory-oral services and programs through early intervention (birth-three), preschool-first grade, inclusive education settings and speech and language services with experts who focus on achieving key milestones at every stage. The auditory-oral program for children ages three to seven is in partnership with school districts in Florida and the Department of Education.

Have an event or resource to share?

Email Clarke Florida at florida@clarkeschools.org.

Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As an IRS qualified charity, gifts to Clarke are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Clarke teaches children who are deaf or hard of hearing to listen and talk. Since our founding in 1867, we have prepared children to succeed in neighborhood schools and the wider world, evolving to meet the needs of children and families today. Our teachers of the deaf, audiologists and speech-language pathologists partner with families to help their infants, toddlers and school-age children develop listening and spoken language (LSL) skills to maximize their learning. In addition to our work with more than 1,000 infants and children annually, we serve families and adults through a wide range of programs and services--in homes, at our five East Coast locations, in neighborhoof classrooms and using remote technology. Learn more at clarkeschools.org.

Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech | 9803 Old St. Augustine Road #7, Jacksonville, Fl. 32257

Voice 904.880.9001 | florida@clarkeschools.org | clarkeschools.org

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