PROJECT REACH SERVICES: HOW WE FIT IN EARLY INTERVENTION Jean Deptolla – Project Reach

Project Reach: Illinois Deaf-Blind Services Federal Grant Federal Grant Serving Children and youth, ages birth-21, who have a combined vision-hearing challenge Serving Children and youth, ages birth-21, who have a combined vision-hearing challenge Free services throughout state of Illinois Free services throughout state of Illinois

What does Deaf-Blind mean? Combined vision-hearing challenge Combined vision-hearing challenge Does not have to be totally deaf and totally blind Does not have to be totally deaf and totally blind In Illinois, 446 youth considered to be deaf-blind (2011) In Illinois, 446 youth considered to be deaf-blind (2011)

How many Young Children in Illinois Are Deaf-Blind? As of December 1, 2011, 34 children birth through 2 years were receiving services from Project Reach. As of December 1, 2011, 34 children birth through 2 years were receiving services from Project Reach.

Common causes of deaf-blindness Anoxia Anoxia CHARGE CHARGE Down Syndrome Down Syndrome Encephalitis Encephalitis Meningitis Meningitis Prematurity Prematurity Syndromes Syndromes Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic Brain Injury Usher Syndrome Usher Syndrome

Hearing Eligibility At least at 26 dB hearing loss, with amplification, in the better ear At least at 26 dB hearing loss, with amplification, in the better ear An auditory processing disorder An auditory processing disorder Unable to use hearing for education, as determined by educational team Unable to use hearing for education, as determined by educational team

Vision Eligibility Corrected visual acuity poorer than 20/70 in better eye; Corrected visual acuity poorer than 20/70 in better eye; Restricted visual field of 20 degrees or less in the better eye; Restricted visual field of 20 degrees or less in the better eye; Cortical blindness; and Cortical blindness; and Does not appear to respond to visual stimulation, which adversely affects educational performance as determined by the educational team. Does not appear to respond to visual stimulation, which adversely affects educational performance as determined by the educational team.

HOW DO WE KNOW A CHILD HAS A VISION AND HEARING IMPAIRMENT? Eye doctor report Eye doctor report Newborn hearing screening Newborn hearing screening Audiological/ABR Audiological/ABR DTH/DTV report DTH/DTV report Parents’ report vision and hearing problems Parents’ report vision and hearing problems NICU reports vision and hearing problems NICU reports vision and hearing problems Diagnosed condition that puts child at risk Diagnosed condition that puts child at risk IFSP team concerns/recommendations IFSP team concerns/recommendations

HOW TO REFER A CHILD Referral Form A (see handout) include parents’ permission Referral Form A (see handout) include parents’ permission Medical reports as available Medical reports as available Send, or fax to Project Reach Send, or fax to Project Reach

WHAT OUR SPECIALISTS WILL DO Contact family to determine if the child is eligible for services Contact family to determine if the child is eligible for services Describe services to family and ask how we can help through technical assistance Describe services to family and ask how we can help through technical assistance Write a report to reflect the results of our visit and any recommendations that we might have Write a report to reflect the results of our visit and any recommendations that we might have With consent share information with other service providers With consent share information with other service providers

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE May include meeting with other therapists working with child May include meeting with other therapists working with child Will vary with each child Will vary with each child May include specialist being involved in the transition from EI to School May include specialist being involved in the transition from EI to School May continue until the child turns 21 May continue until the child turns 21

THANK YOU! QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS? EVALUATION FORM EVALUATION FORM