Children who are deaf CAN Talk and Listen.

The Auditory Options Project can show you how.

An important objective of the Auditory-Options Project is to provide opportunities for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing to interact, share ideas, and develop auditory and spoken-language forms of interactions. 

At the level of the child, the vehicle for helping to accomplish this objective is the playgroup. Playgroups can bring families together with other young children having special needs. Observing family members and, especially those actively participating in the playgroup activities, can allow parents opportunities to note important changes in the social, emotional, and auditory skill development of many of the children.

Playgroups can be provided most readily in residential areas where the population density is greatest, e.g., large cities and suburban areas. Most frequently, playgroups are arranged by families, and no fees are incurred for having a child participate in the program.

Different sites and methods can be used to establish playgroups.  Some playgroups are given space in churches, community buildings and playgrounds or in private resorts or homes.

In Ohio, several playgroups have recently been established.   In conjunction with audiology and speech-language pathology staff from hospitals, early intervention providers, members of regional infant hearing programs and staff and parent mentors from the Auditory-Options Project, playgroups have been organized in the Dayton and also in the Toledo, Ohio areas.

For more information about participating in these auditory-focused playgroups, please contact us.