Early Intervention
What is Early Intervention?
Early Intervention begins soon after you find out about your baby’s hearing loss.
Aurora’s Early Intervention Program offers support to children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and their families, from birth up until school entry.
Our main aim in Early Intervention is to help you identify your child’s needs and strengths and support your child to develop the language skills necessary to communicate with family and the wider community.
Who are we?
We are a home-visiting service for young children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families across Victoria. This includes children who have additional needs.
Our bilingual program encourages children to acquire early communication and language through access to both spoken language and Australian Sign Language (Auslan). It also focuses on the development of listening skills.
Our highly trained team of professionals includes Teachers of the Deaf, Speech Pathologists, Social Workers, Psychologists and Deaf Educators.
Who is eligible for our service?
Children who have a hearing loss in both ears. This includes children with a diagnosis of Auditory Neuropathy. Families can receive this service anywhere in Victoria.
Who are our staff?
Our early intervention program is provided by Teachers of the Deaf, Social Workers, Psychologists, Speech Pathologists and Deaf Educators.
What happens first?
Once we receive your referral, we will contact you to arrange an information visit in your home. This is an opportunity for you to find out about our program and decide whether your family would like to receive our support.
What we do?
When your family joins our program, you will receive support from a Regular Worker (usually a Teacher of the Deaf or Speech Pathologist). We work in partnership with your family and your community, providing regular in-home sessions. These may be combined with phone sessions and/or video-conferencing. We build on your family strengths and tailor our support to your changing needs.
We also provide
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Bilingual Mother Goose Groups and Early Learning Groups (Playgroups).
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Family days and information sessions.
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Consultancy to other programs, including childcare and kindergartens
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Liaison with Australian Hearing, the Cochlear Implant Clinic, CHIC and PHLIC Clinics and other agencies.
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School Transition support; and
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Interpreters (Auslan, Languages other than English).
Where are we?
Our offices are located in Blackburn and Sunshine, however, we will visit you in your home anywhere in Victoria. Group programs are delivered in a variety of settings in metropolitan and regional areas.
Videoconferencing
Video conferencing through a range of online platforms (Webex, Skype, Zoom) is another way we engage with families. Some families receive additional support from their Regular Worker, Speech Therapist or Deaf Educator (Auslan Support) through video conferencing. Let us know if this would be of interest to you.
What does it cost?
This program is funded by the Department of Education and Training.
