FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about CID programs and listening and spoken language deaf education.


My child was just diagnosed with a hearing loss. How can I find resources available to me and my baby?
Publicly provided services are mandated by law to help your baby and your family. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires each state to provide early intervention services. How and what each state provides varies. An overview of the law, IDEA Part C, and links to resources to help you find services for you and your baby are available through the Listening and Spoken Language Knowledge Center of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. See also http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/ei.index.htm

Why is it important for a child who is deaf to learn to talk?
Today’s hearing technologies, early intervention and targeted, individualized teaching methods make it possible for most children who are deaf and hard of hearing to listen, talk, read and participate socially and academically in regular education classrooms. Learning spoken language is important to learning to read and forms the basis for academic success.

How do you teach children who are deaf and hard of hearing to talk?
Unlike most schools for the deaf, CID teaches children how to listen and talk without using sign language. Instruction takes place in small classes of 2 to 5 children grouped for their ability in speech and language. Constant interaction and activities give the students practice listening and talking. They receive direct instruction in listening, language and speech that provides repeated practice opportunities. Then they participate in lessons that enable them to integrate new skills and practice them through conversational activities. During every activity, the teacher monitors each child’s listening, speech, language and comprehension skills. Evaluation takes place during and after every lesson to assess how each student is progressing toward his or her goals, which change at the rate at which that child experiences success.

How do you teach children to read if you can’t use phonics?
We do use phonics—and phonological awareness. Our pediatric audiologists ensure the students have optimal access to auditory information from their hearing aids and/or cochlear implants. We teach our children to read using all of the same methods, strategies and curricula used to teach hearing children to read. For children who need more intensive instruction, we use the SPIRE program for struggling readers.

What services do you provide for families of infants and toddlers?
CID services include family and caregiver coaching at CID, in the home and community settings. We have a toddler class for 2-year-olds that combines group instruction and individual therapy. Services begin when our intake coordinator contacts a family to help them navigate the process of enrolling in early intervention services. Once enrolled, each family is assigned a parent educator to guide them throughout their journey. One of the first steps is partnering with pediatric audiologists to ensure the child has optimal access to sound. For families living outside of our parent educators’ travel area, we offer support via teleintervention sessions or at CID when they visit for audiology appointments.


What kinds of information do you provide to families in early intervention?

  • the child’s diagnosis
  • emotional and social supports
  • hearing and hearing loss
  • hearing tests
  • hearing devices (hearing aids, bone conduction aids, cochlear implants, FM systems)
  • early communication
  • listening and spoken language development
  • tips to encourage listening and spoken language development within daily routines
  • typical development in all areas
  • benefits of play, music and early literacy
  • early intervention services, rights, laws and IFSPs
  • transitioning to educational programs for preschoolers and IEPs

CID parent educators and families use a variety of resources, including Small Talk, written by CID staff. This book breaks down the important things today’s parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing need to know and do including the topics listed above. Small Talk also fills an important need as a textbook for university deaf education and early intervention programs. CID’s Early Listening at Home curriculum encourages coaching the whole family and is an important tool for parent educators.


How do you give children with hearing loss the skills they need to succeed in school with their hearing peers?
CID teachers use specialized tools for determining and targeting a variety of goals. At the preschool level, activities are play-based and theme-related. Daily individualized goals target emerging literacy skills, typical childhood development and pragmatic social skills in addition to speech, language and listening. After age 5, academics come into play. We pay special attention to teaching the language involved in understanding math, science and social studies as we continue to attend to our kindergarteners’ speech and social skills. We have a strong focus on developing reading skills, which is especially difficult for many children who are deaf or hard of hearing. We incorporate children’s literature into our program liberally and offer highly intensive remedial help to any child who needs it. Finally, we use curricula from general education and offer a variety of special activities and classes, including art, drama, music and physical education, to fully prepare the children to participate and succeed in their neighborhood schools.

Does CID offer any subjects besides speech, language and academics?
CID students participate in physical education, art and music classes to help develop and strengthen their skills and talents in these areas. Special activities include science and literacy fairs, cooperative projects, performances and after school tennis and pickleball.

If my child were a candidate for the CID school, how much would it cost for him to attend?
Tuition is free. Parents don’t spend a penny for their child to attend CID. Generous annual support from the community combined with state early intervention agency and school district funding, as appropriate, make it possible for the CID school to accept all eligible school candidates so parents are free to focus on the possibilities, not the costs.

How long would my child attend CID?
Every child develops skills at his or her own rate. Our goal is to help children return to or begin at their local schools (also known as mainstreaming) as soon as possible. For some children, a good time to mainstream is when their language level is equal to that of peers with whom they will work in the same classroom. For older children, we also look at reading skills. We prefer their reading skills be at the same level as those of their classmates. We work closely with families to ensure they know our recommendations and that any placement is a team decision. If needed, support is available for children when they enter the public school system.

Do you provide transportation for your students?
CID does not provide transportation to and from school. If your child receives services through a public school contract, the school district may transport her or reimburse you for travel expenses. If your child comes to CID through early intervention, Missouri or Illinois will reimburse mileage, but they do not provide transportation. Parents must apply and gain approval from the early intervention system before any reimbursement can be obtained.

Sometimes my child seems to hear without hearing aids. Do you really think he needs them?
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing sometimes may detect sounds without their hearing aids because they have what’s called “residual” hearing. It’s important to remember that these children have access to more sounds with their hearing aids on than they do with them off. They need to hear all of the sounds that make up speech in order to include them in their spoken language. Access to all sounds, at every possible waking moment, will give your child the best opportunity to develop speech and spoken language without omitting certain sounds they cannot hear without their hearing aids.

Is there an agency that can help pay for hearing aids?
If your child is a CID student, our audiology staff can help your family explore the options. Missouri and Illinois both have early intervention systems that will help with all assistive technology needed for a child to achieve outcomes. Some insurance companies have paid for a portion of hearing aid costs, with the remainder billed through state early intervention programs. Many of the Medicaid programs provide appropriate hearing aids, and several other agencies also may help. CID audiologists and Joanne Parrish Knight Family Center staff can answer other questions about that first pair of hearing aids. If your child needs a second set of hearing aids, you can contact the HIKE Fund and your local Variety Club. Insurance companies should always be encouraged to pay. Many states are putting out mandates, but this varies from state to state.

I don’t think my child is getting what he or she needs in school. What should I do?
You can reconvene an Individualized Educational Plan (bring the IEP team together to reassess the plan for your child). It’s sometimes wise to bring someone with you, such as a friend who can be a second set of ears or an advocate who knows the law. Public schools are mandated to provide an appropriate education for your child. Contact CID principal Lynda Berkowitz to ask questions about what CID offers.

My child’s teacher or school administrator has no experience with students with hearing loss. What can I do?
Your child’s teacher may want to pursue continuing education at a CID workshop in St. Louis. CID offers a wide variety of professional development programs, including guided observations and consulting services.  Your child’s teacher or school administer may want to contact Abby Zoia at 314.977.0267 for more information about professional development opportunities. Your local public school district or listening and spoken language school for children who are deaf and hard of hearing may also offer resources for general education teachers with a child who is deaf or hard of hearing in their classroom.

My child has a cochlear implant or we are considering one. In addition to my child’s audiologist and doctor, what are good resources?
All of the cochlear implant manufacturers offer excellent information about their devices. To connect with other parents who have children with cochlear implants, we highly recommend cicircle.org. 

Where can I learn about legal rights and advocacy for my child?
We recommend the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for parents who seek this kind of information. Find out if they have a chapter where you live.