The Badavas Parent Infant Program (PIP) at The Learning Center for the Deaf serves deaf and hard of hearing children birth to age 3 who are enrolled in Early Intervention programs across the state of Massachusetts. We welcome new families year round.
Inside PIP
Support for Families
We provide support and training for both the deaf or hard of hearing and their family through a combination of:
- Center-based playgroups
- Home visits
- Individual speech and language therapy sessions
- Family discussion groups
- Assessments, including Visual Communication Sign Language Checklist
Access to Resources
We work with families to provide them with access to a variety of resources currently available to them. Common tools used to support PIP families include but are not limited to Family Language Planning, Reggio-based curriculum for playgroups, SKI-HI curriculum, and Visual Communication and Language (VCSL) ASL Assessments.
Speciality Service Providers
The PIP program staff includes three DPH-certified Speciality Service Providers (SSP) and one DPH certified Early Intervention Specialist (CEIS), a social worker, Speech and Language Pathologist and counselor. Three members on our team also happen to be former PIP family members!
Toddler ASL Immersion Program (TAIP)
Designed for deaf/hard of hearing children 18 months to 3 years old, our toddler program offers a safe, nurturing, language-rich, play-based environment tailored to each student's individual needs, interests, and developmental milestones.
We aim to empower children through hands-on, play-based learning experiences that support the whole child's needs, fostering cognitive development, social-emotional learning, language acquisition, physical development skills, autonomy, and more. Our program is based in American Sign Language with a commitment to bilingual-bicultural education for deaf* children.
*The term deaf refers to children with varying hearing levels and is inclusive of hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and deaf+ children, as well as children with hearing assistive technology.
Ready to Join Us?
The following checklist may be helpful to review required documents from your family and the Early Intervention agency. Please Note: Your Early Intervention service coordinator must send the following documents to our Admissions team before the family can start services.
- Current IFSP with PIP services on the service grid
- Most recent audiogram
- Waiver from DPH for additional group time (if applicable)
- Support for Families
- Access to Resources
- Speciality Service Providers
- Toddler ASL Immersion Program (TAIP)
- Ready to Join Us?
Support for Families
We provide support and training for both the deaf or hard of hearing and their family through a combination of:
- Center-based playgroups
- Home visits
- Individual speech and language therapy sessions
- Family discussion groups
- Assessments, including Visual Communication Sign Language Checklist
Access to Resources
We work with families to provide them with access to a variety of resources currently available to them. Common tools used to support PIP families include but are not limited to Family Language Planning, Reggio-based curriculum for playgroups, SKI-HI curriculum, and Visual Communication and Language (VCSL) ASL Assessments.
Speciality Service Providers
The PIP program staff includes three DPH-certified Speciality Service Providers (SSP) and one DPH certified Early Intervention Specialist (CEIS), a social worker, Speech and Language Pathologist and counselor. Three members on our team also happen to be former PIP family members!
Toddler ASL Immersion Program (TAIP)
Designed for deaf/hard of hearing children 18 months to 3 years old, our toddler program offers a safe, nurturing, language-rich, play-based environment tailored to each student's individual needs, interests, and developmental milestones.
We aim to empower children through hands-on, play-based learning experiences that support the whole child's needs, fostering cognitive development, social-emotional learning, language acquisition, physical development skills, autonomy, and more. Our program is based in American Sign Language with a commitment to bilingual-bicultural education for deaf* children.
*The term deaf refers to children with varying hearing levels and is inclusive of hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and deaf+ children, as well as children with hearing assistive technology.
Ready to Join Us?
The following checklist may be helpful to review required documents from your family and the Early Intervention agency. Please Note: Your Early Intervention service coordinator must send the following documents to our Admissions team before the family can start services.
- Current IFSP with PIP services on the service grid
- Most recent audiogram
- Waiver from DPH for additional group time (if applicable)
When Trevor was diagnosed deaf at just 8 weeks old, our world felt like it’d been tossed in a blender—until we walked through the doors of The Learning Center for the Deaf. From day one inside the Badavas Parent Infant Program, we felt seen, heard (yes, even hearing parents!), and genuinely supported.
Join our TAIP Family!
Our Toddler ASL Immersion Program (TAIP) is a drop-off program that meets three days a week from 8AM to 3PM on our Framingham campus. As children approach their 3rd birthday, preschool transitional support will be provided on a case-by-case basis. Questions? Contact our PIP Team.
Inside PIP
Research Studies:
- A major study published in Pediatrics found that Deaf children exposed to ASL within the first six months of life developed age-appropriate vocabulary skills comparable to native signers. Researchers concluded that early sign language exposure supports healthy language development across domains.
- Research published in the American Annals of the Deaf showed that Deaf children with hearing caregivers who received early ASL exposure and intervention achieved language and academic outcomes comparable to Deaf children raised by Deaf signing parents.
- Studies in the Journal of Child Language demonstrated that the quality and consistency of early sign language input strongly influence vocabulary growth and later language abilities in Deaf children.
- Research published in the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education documented that Deaf children acquire ASL along predictable developmental trajectories when given accessible language exposure early in life.
- Early developmental studies have also shown that Deaf infants exposed to sign language from birth achieve language milestones on timelines similar to hearing children acquiring spoken language.
TLC is a proud member of American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC). Our families can receive a 10% discount by being a part of our Parent Infant Program, Marie Philip School, Walden School or Walden Community Services program.
- Printable ASL Numbers Chart
- Printable Alphabet Chart
- Massachusetts Resources for Deaf Children
- National Resources for Deaf Children
- ASDC You Tube Channel
Our son Teddy has been participating in PIP since he was 4.5 months old. PIP has been a very welcoming environment for us as hearing parents to practice our ASL skills, learn new words, and find ways to integrate ASL into our daily lives. Teddy has made so many great strides with his social and physical development since starting PIP at TLC!
Key Staff
Jennifer brings a wealth of experience serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community through education, advocacy, and family support. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY, and a Master's degree in Special Education and Counselor Education from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.
She began her career at the Learning Center for the Deaf and Walden School, where she discovered her passion for working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, families, and professionals. Since then, Jennifer has been dedicated to empowering families, training staff and students, and fostering inclusive learning environments. She provides guidance and resources to parents and families, helping them build strong communication foundations through accessible, family-centered support.
During her time at the Texas School for the Deaf, Jennifer served as a Mandt instructor for six years and a strong Social Emotional Learning (SEL) advocate, providing trauma-informed, relationship-based training to staff and students to promote safety, empathy, and positive behavioral support.
Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys exploring new adventures with her partner, traveling, and embracing opportunities for growth and connection
Mary Jane Huru, B.S.
Mary Jane Huru has a deep, personal connection to TLC. She is the mother of a former PIP student, who went on to attend her entire schooling at TLC, graduating in 2010. Mary Jane received her bachelor's degree in Child and Family Services. She has worked at TLC for 25 years, 10 as Admission Director/Family Liaison. Prior, she was the Director of TLC’s Childcare Center.