Chattering Children

Chattering Children is a facility that offers a center-based spoken language program for children  with hearing loss. Using our approach, young deaf children learn to think, listen, talk, and learn without using any sign language.
Children using hearing aids have to be taught to fully exploit their hearing by sharpening their listening skills. Children with cochlear implants (electrodes implanted in the inner ear to convert speech into electrical signals) have to be trained to use the information provided by the implants for meaningful communication.  Listening skills are developed through structured and natural listening activities.  Using listening skills as the foundation, speech and language skills are systematically developed in a natural, real-life, conversational context.  These skills are further integrated into social and academic skills as these children reach school age. These approaches are termed auditory-verbal and auditory-oral. The goal is to enable them to function in a typical classroom socially, emotionally and academically.

    The program is family oriented. Parents are closely involved in this process and are expected to commit significant time and effort to their child’s communication
development. Parent commitment is probably the single most important determinant of success in such a program.

Our goal is for our Chattering Children to be successful in a typical school with their normal-hearing peers, to communicate with neighborhood children and to be independent communicators requiring minimal support services. Chattering Children are social, confident, articulate and capable of achieving whatever they want in life.
    All children with hearing loss are eligible for our services irrespective of the degree of hearing loss. Our staff has experience with cochlear implants as well as children who use hearing aids. Our services include but are not limited to

•    Auditory-Verbal Therapy    
•    SPEAK UP auditory-oral school
•    Mainstream Services    
•    Consultations for School Districts
•    Evaluations/Assessments     
•    IEP consultations    

For information about our programs call either of our offices, or please contact  

Pratibha Srinivasan CCC-A, Cert.AVT
Executive Director