Audiology
TLC’s Audiology Unit provides comprehensive audiologic and hearing aid services to both students and the community. Our state-of-the-art unit is staffed by licensed audiologists who are certified by The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The educational audiology program and the outpatient audiology program have received accreditation by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association which ensures that nationally recognized standards of quality are maintained.
Spoken English and Communication Department
The Spoken English/Communication Department is staffed by full- and part-time speech and language pathologists. Annual evaluations are conducted, and individualized programs are designed. Goals and objectives generally focus on one or more of the following:
- Communication strategies for interacting with both Deaf and hearing people
- Spoken English grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation;
- Speech sound production
- Speechreading and listening
- Clarification strategies
A whole language approach is used within the context of role plays, discussion and practice. Themes and topics are chosen based on community, family and personal experiences, while some activities are coordinated with academic content areas. Individual and/or small group sessions and the number of weekly sessions are determined by each student’s annual IEP (Individualized Education Plan) team, and re-evaluated as appropriate during the year. The emphasis of each individual program is to encourage increasingly independent and effective use of communication strategies and spoken English skills.
Services for Students with Cochlear Implants
A licensed audiologist works with those students who have cochlear implants. The goal for each child with a cochlear implant is to maximize his/her potential in both spoken English and American Sign Language.
Counseling Department
The Counseling Department supports the social and emotional development of students through the provision of individual and group counseling services. Counselors support and partner with families, maintaining regular contact and seeking input into the development of service plans. They work closely with educational supervisors, faculty, and other support staff to address the social-emotional needs of students and thereby enhance their ability to benefit from the educational services being offered.
In addition to counseling, students are supported by the services of a school psychologist, who provides psycho-educational assessments, and a behavior specialist, who assists teachers in addressing specific behavioral concerns that may impede classroom learning.
Interpreting Services
The Learning Center employs full-time ASL/English interpreters, who are based on the Framingham campus. Interpreter services are also used by students and staff of Walden School, and at the Randolph campus. Requests for these services may include visitors, seminars, field trips, meetings and other situations, allowing both Deaf and hearing people to feel comfortable using theirs first language.
>> To learn more about the Interpreting Services - PDF File
Occupational & Physical Therapy
Students whose neurological, developmental, and/or orthopedic needs impact their ability to participate fully throughout their school day may benefit from occupational and/or physical therapy services. Upon a team referral, the occupational and/or physical therapist will evaluate a student and, if appropriate, develop a treatment program.
Nursing Department
The Learning Center Nursing Department is responsible for providing a variety of supportive and urgent care services to day (both campuses), residential, Walden School and Day Care students, and to all staff. Our goal is to support the maximum educational experience of each student by promoting safety and wellness, while providing structured or urgent care assistance when needed. The Nursing Department, staffed by registered nurses, adheres to the standards provided by the Department of Education, Office for Child Care Services and Department of Public Health, as well as the policies of The Learning Center for the Deaf.
