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Mission
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A team of teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing dedicated to insuring that students meet with success in the mainstream travels the northern half of NJ working in students' home school districts. They receive consistent in-service education through the Lake Drive Program to keep abreast of the latest developments in amplification technology including cochlear implants, FM systems, speech-to-print transcription systems, and other special devices. |
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They work in collaboration with the CST, classroom teachers, and families to provide carefully orchestrated support services to ensure that their students learn optimally in the mainstream. They provide individualized educational services based on the demands of the district's curriculum. |
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These academic support specialists also provide faculty members with the information they need to help them understand the student's hearing loss as it impacts on functioning in the classroom. They also provide instruction in the student's classroom to sensitize peers to the special needs of the child with hearing loss. |
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Families are provided with information to help them understand how the child's hearing loss affects learning and with information about organizations and activities to foster social development outside of the school. Families are crucial partners in insuring that children hear optimally at all times and insuring that there is appropriate hearing aid care and maintenance. |
Summary of Academic Support Specialist Services
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Parent information |
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Auditory training and auditory learning activities |
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Academic support |
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Speech reading instruction |
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Sensitivity and awareness training for hearing students regarding hearing impairment |
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In-service training for teachers of mainstreamed children |
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Information regarding FM and other assistive devices |
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Assistance in formulating instructional goals for the IEP |
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Language and speech development activities that are curriculum based |
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Study skills and note taking
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Consultative assistance in identifying the supports required for successful mainstreaming |
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Related Services Support Specialists
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Educational Audiologist: The educational audiologist evaluates the child's auditory learning environment and the amplification and/or other assistive technology available to provide as effective an auditory environment as possible in the various settings a child must function over the course of a school day. Diagnostic audiological testing at the Lake Drive School site is available to evaluate the degree of hearing impairment and to evaluate the efficacy of the child's amplification system. Visits to the child's home school to evaluate the auditory learning environment and to provide in-service assistance to staff in managing the child's amplification system(s) is available. |
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Speech/language specialist: Speech/language specialists who have experience and training in working with children with a wide range of hearing loss are available to provide diagnostic assessment and follow-up recommendations regarding enhancing the child's language and speech development. The speech/language specialist has unique skills in identifying those factors that are typical sequelae of hearing loss from those that represent other areas that must be addressed. (Ongoing speech therapy is not available.) |
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Mental health services: Social workers and psychologists with experience and training in working with children with a wide range of hearing losses are available to provide diagnostic assessment and follow-up recommendations regarding the impact of hearing loss on social and emotional development. They can work in concert with district personnel and family to identify the resources and services needed to solve particular problems. |
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Please contact our Mainstream Resource Center for further
information. You can make a request for service by completing the
Request for Services form.
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