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
- ASL assessments
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 TAIP 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.
TAIP is a drop-off program that meets three days a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Friday) 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.
Registration Now Open!
*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.
- Support for Families
- Access to Resources
- Speciality Service Providers
- Toddler ASL Immersion Program (TAIP)
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
- ASL assessments
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 TAIP 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.
TAIP is a drop-off program that meets three days a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Friday) 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.
Registration Now Open!
*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.
Inside PIP
Ready to inquire about joining PIP? The following checklist may be helpful to review required documents from your family and the Early Intervention agency. Please Note: the Early Intervention service coordinator must send the following documents to the Parent Infant Program before the family can start services with PIP and EI’s approval.
- Current IFSP with PIP services on the service grid
- Most recent audiogram
- Waiver from DPH for additional group time (if applicable)
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.
Massachusetts Resources for Deaf Children
National Resources for Deaf Children
Our son Teddy has been participating in PIP since he was 4.5 months old. We love coming to TLC and he really enjoys watching everyone use ASL; I can tell he is soaking it all in. 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 is working hard at developing his gross motor skills as well and his PIP community has been so supportive cheering him on in this journey. He has made so many great strides with his social and physical development since starting PIP at TLC!
Key Staff
Thea Cabral
Thea holds a Masters in School Counseling with emphasis on Mental Health and is Specialty Service Provider (SSP). As PIP Coordinator, she supports youth in our Birth to 3 program, ensuring resources are accessible for all family members, as well as overseeing the development of language and structured social activities for young children.
Thea enjoys spending time with her two deaf children. Her family enjoy long roadtrips to new places whenever possible! Her favorite place to relax is the beach during the summer months.
Mary Jane Huru, B.S.
Parent ASL Classes, TLCPA and PAC Group Liason
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.
