St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf (SJI) offers services to help children learn to listen and speak using hearing technology. Our Listening and Spoken Language Advancement division ensures services are delivered at the highest quality and are research-based through professional development, observation, and coaching.
Children's brains grow to 80% of their adult size by their third birthday. To support this development, we partner with First Steps to provide early intervention services.
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Early Intervention (0-3 years)
Our LSL providers coach caregivers at home or in the community, using specialized strategies to help babies listen and talk with hearing technology. Services are available both in-person and through our iHear tele-practice program.
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Families attend 8 weekly sessions to learn listening and spoken language through singing and play. Guided by a certified Listening Spoken Language Specialist, parents practice LSL strategies. Parents and toddlers make new friends and develop listening and language skills.
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Toddler Class (Ages 18 months-3 years)
Our toddler class offers developmentally appropriate learning. Our skilled teachers engage students in activities that promote essential language and cognitive development for future success. This class extends our Missouri early intervention services.
Our goal is to help your child transition to their home school when they have the skills to do so successfully. Our providers use auditory-verbal education principles to support children with hearing technology, ensuring their success in school and in life.
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Preschool (3-5 years)
Our preschool program provides intensive Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) instruction to develop auditory skills using hearing technology. Educators weave listening and spoken language into all activities, and students get daily support from an LSL Provider. Teachers and LSL providers receive coaching from certified LSLS, with many pursuing LSL certification.
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Primary School (6-8 years)
Our Indiana campus offers placement in either a kindergarten or a combined kindergarten/first grade classroom. The primary teacher is a master’s level teacher of the deaf and LSL specialist. Instruction follows Indiana academic standards, using the Department of Education Early Learning Standards and Indiana Academic Standards curricula in all subjects, while integrating listening and spoken language strategies throughout the school day.
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Outreach Services
Our Mainstream Services assist students in transitioning from early intervention or preschool to a mainstream school environment. Students using hearing technology may face unique challenges and may require continued specialized support. Our Mainstream Specialists collaborate with local professionals to assess student needs, develop goals and accommodations, and provide support in areas such as auditory skills, social and self-advocacy skills, and academic performance.
We believe that professional coaching and mentoring are essential for achieving success in listening and spoken language.
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Professional Coaching
Our outreach specialists provide coaching and support to professionals working with students using hearing technology to listen and speak.
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LSL Mentoring
We have 9 certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialists on staff, with 14 team members in the mentoring and certification process.
