new south wales and australian capital territory supplement

Introduction For families in the ACT region

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RIDBC Alice Betteridge School

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RIDBC Garfield Barwick School

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RIDBC School Support Service

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RIDBC Community Support Services

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St Dominic’s

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ST Gabriel’s School

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Parent Support Groups

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The Shepherd Centre

Parent Council for Deaf Education

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The First Sounds Cochlear Implant Program 18

Canberra Deaf Children’s Association

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RIDBC Assessment Service

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Deaf Society of New South Wales

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Aussie Deaf Kids

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Summary of Services

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Other Services

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Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIC)

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Early Intervention and School Support Services

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ACT Department of Education and Training 6

Deafness Centre – The Children’s Hospital at Westmead

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Hearing Support Service

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Catherine Sullivan Centre

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Department of Education and Training

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RIDBC Jim Patrick Audiology Centre

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RIDBC Early Learning Program

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Genetic Counselling Service

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RIDBC Renwick Centre Library

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Australian Hearing NSW/ACT Hearing Centres

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RIDBC Teleschool

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RIDBC Rockie Woofit Preschool

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RIDBC Nepean Preschool

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RIDBC Hunter Preschool

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RIDBC Thomas Pattison School

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It is with much pleasure that Australian Hearing is able to provide your copy of the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory supplement to Choices. This booklet provides simple explanations about the various educational programs offered in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

The information in this booklet was collated by Australian Hearing with the help of representatives from a wide range of service organisations and consumer groups in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, including parent groups, educational programs and groups representing deaf people. Their contributions were made with an appreciation of how you as parents may be feeling and to help fulfill your need for information at this time. No one can tell you what is best for your child and your family. To make an informed decision about educational options, we suggest you make an appointment to visit some of the facilities and then choose a program best suited to the

needs of your child and your family. Australian Hearing audiologists have no bias toward particular programs and will help you arrange appointments to visit some or all of the educational programs if this would be helpful. The choices that you make now do not have to be permanent. There is nothing wrong with changing your decisions if circumstances alter; in fact, flexibility and an open mind are great strengths. Be guided by your child’s abilities and personality. It is important to remember that each child is unique and looking at your child’s individual needs over time will help you make the appropriate choices.

You and your child have an important job ahead of you but you are not on your own. Please do not hesitate to ask your Australian Hearing audiologist any questions that you may have.  We know that you only want the best for your child.  We hope that the information in this New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Choices supplement will help you discover what the best is.

Wendy Pearce Specialist Audiologist CSO Unit on behalf of Australian Hearing December 2009

A note about the NSW Statewide Infant Screening – Hearing (SWISH) program On 1 December 2002, the NSW Department of Health introduced the NSW Statewide Infant Screening – Hearing (SWISH) program. The aim of this program is for all babies born in a hospital after this date to have their hearing screened.

The screening usually takes place before the baby is discharged from hospital and involves a screening ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) test. Sometimes the screening has to be repeated if the baby was too unsettled at the time of the test.

As with many screening tests, the result will show if a baby needs further testing. Babies who need further testing are sent for diagnostic testing in an audiology centre. This will often involve a range of tests of how the ear and the auditory pathways are

functioning. If the diagnostic test shows a hearing loss, the baby will usually be referred to Australian Hearing to help the family consider what else needs to be done.

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For families in the ACT region

The following agencies / services are directly accessible to families living in the ACT region, without the need to travel to Sydney. Please refer to the listing of agencies for further information on each service. Eligibility criteria may apply for some agencies / services. ACT Department of Education, Youth and Family Services Early Intervention, education and support programs from diagnosis to Year 12 Aussie Deaf Kids Parent support and information online Canberra Deaf Children’s Association Parent support, information and social events

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Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) Teleschool program Educational support from diagnosis to Year 12 via videoconferencing, telephone, post & email. SCIC Canberra Cochlear implant program from birth to adulthood, run by Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre.

The Shepherd Centre, Canberra Early Intervention and correspondence program, from birth to 6 years. The First Sounds Cochlear Implant Program Cochlear Implant program for children birth to 18 years, run by The Shepherd Centre

Parent Support Groups

Parent Council for Deaf Education Street address: Parent Council for Deaf Education, D Block, 361–365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks NSW 2151. Postal address: PO Box 4748, North Rocks NSW 2151. Telephone: Voice (02) 9871 3049 TTY (02) 9871 3025  Fax (02) 9871 3193 Contact: Admin Officer or Project Co-ordinator. Time available: 9.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Communication mode: Staff use spoken English and Australian Sign Language (Auslan). Philosophy: Parent Council for Deaf Education (PCDE) is the statewide parent organisation promoting the rights of hearing-impaired children and their families. PCDE (formerly known as Federation for Junior Deaf Education) was formed in 1961 on the initiative of several independent parent groups. They believed that an organisation was needed to represent deaf and hearing-impaired children and their families to Government and the Department of Education on a co-ordinated basis. An information and support centre for parents of newly diagnosed children had also been identified as a necessity. As the only group representing these families,

PCDE focuses primarily on education and advocacy. Since its formation, PCDE has grown in strength and power.  It has fought many campaigns to improve the services for hearingimpaired children. The objectives of PCDE are to: ] Work for the furtherance of the education and welfare of all children who are deaf or hearing-impaired ] Heighten public awareness of the abilities and needs of deaf or hearing-impaired children and their families ] Liaise with government officers, teachers, parents and other relevant people to monitor and review the provision of services for hearing-impaired and deaf children and their families ] Monitor and make accessible to members the activities of the various organisations, authorities and persons engaged in the education and welfare of hearing-impaired and deaf children ] Act as a forum for the parents and friends of hearingimpaired and deaf children through the publication of booklets, pamphlets and the quarterly journal, Sound News ] Encourage research in the techniques of education and training hearing-impaired and deaf children and young adults

] Organise conferences and seminars to give parents and children opportunities to meet and learn together. SERVICES: PCDE is able to help with information on: ] Deafness/hearing impairment ] Range of educational programs available ] Suitable schools (public and private) ] Counselling for families and/ or deaf and hearing-impaired children ] Communication methods ] School Certificate Examination concessions for deaf and hearing-impaired children ] Provision of hearing aids, FM transmitters and receivers, and other technology ] Science camps for hearingimpaired children ] Books on deafness ] University and TAFE courses in deafness and communication ] Auslan classes for parents of deaf/hearing-impaired children ] Interpreted live theatre performances (Auslan) ] Clubs for deaf and hearingimpaired teenagers. To keep families informed PCDE: ] Distributes to all members Australia-wide and overseas the quarterly journal Sound News

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Parent Council for Deaf Education continued

] Provides a library loan service for members of reference books, videos, cassettes and material on hearing impairment ] Produces and updates Where Do We Go From Here? – a guide for parents of children who have been

newly diagnosed as deaf or hearing-impaired ] Has translated Where Do We Go From Here? into other languages and produced cassette tapes in Arabic, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese

] Organises conferences and seminars to give parents and children opportunities to meet and learn together.

Canberra Deaf Children’s Association Postal address: PO Box 2291 Tuggeranong ACT 2901 Telephone: Voice (02) 6284 8143  A/H (02) 6254 8659 Email via website www.canberradeafkids.org.au Contact: Committee members Philosophy: The Canberra Deaf Children’s Association (CDCA) is a nonprofit community organisation that endeavours to provide support and information to

parents and families on issues affecting deaf and hearingimpaired children. We hold regular social events to give families the opportunity to meet others families. This includes all sorts of hearing loss such as sensorineural, conductive, and unilateral.  Services: ] CDCA acts as a lobby group to relevant government departments and other organisations on behalf of deaf and hearing impaired children, their parents and their families.

] Membership is open to parents, relatives and friends of deaf and hearing-impaired children. Membership includes borrowing rights for the Toy and Resource Library and a newsletter issued six times a year. ] We also provide information to other interested people in the community, teachers and students. FEE: The membership contribution is $20.00 per financial year.

Deaf Society of New South Wales Street address: Deaf Society of New South Wales, Suite 401, Level 4 69 Philip St Parramatta NSW 2150. Postal address: PO Box 1060 Parramatta NSW 2124. Telephone: Voice (02) 8833 3600  TTY (02) 8833 3691 Fax (02) 8833 3699 Email [email protected] Contact: Director, Client and Community Services. 4

Communication mode: The Deaf Society respects the right of consumers to choose the communication mode which best suits them. The majority of Deaf Society consumers use Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as their primary mode of communication. Philosophy: The Deaf Society aims to assist people who are deaf, primarily those who constitute the Deaf community, towards achieving their full potential. This is achieved through advocacy, by working with and for people who are deaf to ensure that

services become and remain accessible. The Deaf Society also works towards ensuring that information available to the wider community is accessible to people who are deaf, and that information about the Deaf community, its values, beliefs and activities is available to the wider community.  Services: ] Community Access and Information Services – Family Worker, Community Workers, specialist information, consultation, lobbying and support

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] Employment Service – to improve access to employment and vocational training opportunities for deaf people ] Interpreting Service – to facilitate communication between deaf and hearing clients for private medical consultations, private legal appointments and occasions of special significance ] Services for Older People – to present the many lifestyle options available to older people who are deaf ] Independent Living Skills Program – to provide support and training on a one-to-one basis to assist deaf people with disabilities to live as independently as possible

] Community Education and Training – to provide education and training to deaf people, and to complement this by providing training and education to the general community to increase their awareness and skills in providing services to deaf people. Time available: Business hours.

Group meetings: This depends on the service that is required. Fees: There are no fees required. The Deaf Society provides education to the Deaf community and service providers, and is involved in research and project development to improve the quality of life for people who are deaf. 

Selection criteria: Consumers who require the services of the Deaf Society of NSW. Parental involvement: Parental involvement is not essential.

Aussie Deaf Kids www.aussiedeafkids.org.au

Aussie Deaf Kids is a website and online support group for parents of deaf and hearingimpaired children in Australia. It was started by a parent with the aim of providing other parents with easy-to-access and unbiased information and support. The website has a large number of good quality resources and links for parents from Australian and international sources, covering many aspects of our children’s lives. 

We also endeavour to keep parents informed about events and issues within Australia.

A website where you can make contact with other parents around Australia.

The support group is an email group for parents only. 

It provides an opportunity to discuss issues, ideas, concerns and successes about any aspect of your deaf or hearing-impaired child’s life and receive feedback, advice or empathy from other parents.

Parents of HearingImpaired and Deaf Children in Australia.  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ phidcoz

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ACT Department of Education and Training Street address: ACT Department of Education Hearing Support Maribyrnong Special Education Centre Alberga Street Kaleen ACT 2617. Postal address: See street address Contact: Barbara Rayner Executive Officer Hearing Support ACT Department of Education and Training Voice (02) 6205 6792  Fax

(02) 6205 6788

Mobile 0409 815 219 Email: [email protected].



edu.au

Communication mode: It is recognised that parents are decision makers for their children. Therefore the choice of communication mode made by parents is respected and supported by all involved. It is essential that every child with a hearing impairment has the opportunity to reach their language and listening potential. Philosophy: The ACT Department of Education and Training is committed to providing quality support programs and inclusive education for children with a hearing impairment and their families. This is achieved by actively involving all stakeholders in planning programs which promote listening, language and speech.

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Services: The ACT Department of Education and Training provides support to students with a hearing impairment. This support is provided by specialist teachers from the time of diagnosis until the end of Year 12. The support includes: ] H  ome Education Program: For families of babies and preschool children support is provided through the Home Education Program. From the time of diagnosis of a hearing impairment Support Teachers Hearing work collaboratively with families to develop skills in language and communication. The Home Education Program is flexible, meeting the needs of individual families. Support Teachers Hearing visit children in their everyday environment. Settings may include the home, child-care, family day care, extended family or preschool. A monthly playgroup provides opportunities for families and professionals to meet in a supportive and enriching environment. ] S  chool Support: The Support Teachers Hearing service provides support to students with a hearing impairment in a range of educational settings including regular classes, special schools and special classes. Support Teachers Hearing work collaboratively with the family, members of the

school community and other agencies to meet the needs of students with hearing impairment. Regular meetings with parents as the main educators are held to discuss student’s progress. ] P  rimary Hearing-Impaired Unit, Mawson Primary School: This unit caters for students with a hearing impairment from kindergarten to Year six. Time available: School hours. Selection criteria: All students with a diagnosed hearing loss referred to the ACT Department of education will be assessed. Provision of service is determined by the ACT Disability Criteria. Frequency of service: The educational needs of individual students are determined by the Student Centred Appraisal of Needs process. This process determines the level of additional resources needed to support students with a disability. Parent involvement: Parents are the primary educators and as such, their participation is essential. Parents are encouraged to be involved in all assessment, placement, review and programming procedures. FEES: Support services are free of charge. 

Early Intervention and School Support Services

Catherine Sullivan Centre Family Support and Early Intervention Program

Street address: Catholic Centre for Hearing-Impaired Children 59 The Boulevarde Strathfield NSW 2135.  Postal address: As above. Telephone: Voice (02) 9746 6942 TTY (02) 9746 6942  Fax (02) 9764 4170 Website: www.catherinesullivancentre. org.au Email: admin@catherinesullivancentre. org.au Contact: The Co-ordinator Communication mode: Auditory- Verbal therapy Philosophy: ] To help each child acquire language and speech so that he/she can be a contributing member in a hearing society ] To give guidance and support to families in achieving the above objective at the critical time in the child’s life for speech and language development ] To meet the individual needs of each child with regard to the development of listening skills, language and speech

] To facilitate the ongoing development of each child to reach his/her potential in all aspects of growth – intellectual, emotional, social and physical

] An Intensive Language Group which is centre-based language program one day a week for older children, to prepare them for school placement

] To provide a support network for parents and families of hearing-impaired children.

] Playgroup once a week to provide an opportunity for peer interaction in the development of social skills

] To assist families in their choice of future schooling for their child ] To support the child in an integrated setting of local community preschool ] To provide education to the family caregiver on the implications of hearingimpairment. Services: The aim of the program is to give guidance and support to families of children with a hearing impairment. This enables families to assist their child in speech and language development so that the child may reach his/her full potential. Services include: ] Home visits up to the age of 3 years to assist parents in the use of situational teaching ] Visits to preschools to help teachers and hearing children understand and provide for the needs of a hearing-impaired child

] A weekly parent group meeting to provide support and encouragement through a sharing of experiences ] Excursions once a term to enhance the child’s opportunity for acquiring language, and to help parents appreciate the importance of having the child interact in the wider community ] Parent education sessions given by specialists in various areas e.g., audiology, language, speech development and child psychology ] Individual consultation with parents as appropriate. Time available: 9am-4pm during school terms Selection criteria: ] Children with hearingimpairment ranging from mild to profound ] Age range is from birth to school age ] Children with additional disabilities are welcome.

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Catherine Sullivan Centre continued

Parental involvement: As this is a family-based program, full parental involvement is essential.

Group meetings: ] Home visits – twice weekly ]  Preschool visits – weekly ] Playgroup – weekly ] Parent support groups – weekly ] Parent Education Meeting – quarterly each term

Fees: The services are all free of charge. Additional comments: The program is a ministry the Dominican Sisters and is offered to all families, regardless of religious beliefs.

Department of Education and Training Street address: Department of Education and Training, Directorate Disability Programs Level 11, 1 Oxford St Darlinghurst NSW 2010. Postal address: As above. Telephone: Voice (02) 9244 5587 Fax (02) 9266 8527 Contact: Senior Education Officer Sensory Programs For regional offices of the Department of Education contacts, please call 131 536. Communication mode: Oral/Aural, Total Communication and Auslan.

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Philosophy: Provision of services for students with hearing-impairment is made on the basis of the child’s continuing individual educational needs. Service provision commences from the age of diagnosis. There are regular reviews of each child’s educational placement. At every stage parents are guided and supported in decisions relating to the educational needs for their child.  The decision of the parents or carers are supported by appropriate educational provision co-ordinated by regional student support staff.

Services: The NSW Department of Education and Training provides educational services for over 1,800 students who are deaf or hearingimpaired. Students who are deaf or hearing impaired can be enrolled in mainstream classes, support classes or special schools. Teachers with additional training in hearing, known as Itinerant Support Teachers are available to work with babies, children of pre-school age and their families in community settings. These specialised teachers also work with who are deaf or hearing impaired enrolled in mainstream classes, support classes and special schools. Specialist classes for students who are deaf or hearing impaired, known as support classes (Hearing) enrol a maximum of nine students per class. Special education services are co-ordinated in each region by the Student Support Coordinator. They are contactable through the local school principal or regional office. The decision on where to enrol a student and with what level of support will depend on a number of factors. Specialist staff and counsellors are available to advise parents on educational placement.

Selection criteria: The Department of Education and Training provides educational services and support for students who are deaf or hearing impaired with all degrees and types of hearing loss from the age of diagnosis through to Year 12. Parental involvement: Parents are encouraged to participate at all stages in their child’s education. This participation can occur in a variety of ways. Parents play a critical role working with school personnel to make decisions about the supports needed for their child. Fees: The Department of Education and Training provides these support services free of charge.  FURTHER INFORMATION: Further information about enrolling in a NSW Government school can be accessed by the Department’s website using the link www.det. nsw.edu.au. Specific information about the supports available for students with additional learning needs including those students who are deaf or hearing impaired can be accessed using the link below or by contacting the local school or regional office. www.schools.nsw. edu.au/studentsupport/programs/ disability.php

Early Intervention and School Support Services n

RIDBC Early Learning Program Early Childhood Services Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

Street address: Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, 361–365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks NSW 2151. Postal address: Private Bag 29 Parramatta NSW 2124. Telephone: Voice: (02) 9872 0347 TTY: (02) 9872 0347 Fax: (02) 9872 0335 Contact: The Co-ordinator. Communication mode: Parents may elect to be supported in their choice of a range of communication modes including auditory verbal, auditory oral, Auslan or alternative communication. Philosophy: RIDBC Early Learning Program (ELP) is a family-centred program providing a range of services which include, home and centre-based programs, playgroup, early learning groups, preschool support service and an extensive remote service for children who live outside the metropolitan area.

The most appropriate service is discussed by the Co-ordinator with each family and will be reviewed as the diverse and unique needs of each child and family change over time. Teachers work collaboratively with families to provide the best possible education for children. Highly trained/ experienced staff support families through their experience in Early Childhood Education and Education of Deaf Children. Services: RIDBC Early Learning Program is staffed by teachers of the deaf and speech pathologists. The team is supported by an audiologist/speech pathologist, C.I. education specialist orthoptist, psychologist, paediatrician and occupational therapist. Time available: Business hours.

Selection criteria: The program caters for children with a significant hearing loss, from birth until preschool or school entry age. The program provides for children who are deaf or hearing-impaired. Parental involvement: Parents are involved in every aspect of ELP. Teachers work collaboratively with parents to design and implement children’s programs. Parents are involved in individual sessions, meetings, playgroups and Early Learning Groups. Fees: ELP services are provided free of charge. Additional comments: ELP families may also avail themselves of parent meetings, newsletters, playgroups, assessment and planning services and short courses.

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RIDBC Teleschool Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

Street address: RIDBC Teleschool, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, 361–365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks NSW 2151. Postal address: Private Bag 29 Parramatta NSW 2124. Telephone:  oice (02) 9872 0821 V TTY (02) 9872 0347 Fax (02) 9872 0889 Families in regional areas can contact RIDBC on 1300 131 923 for the cost of a local call. Contact: The Manager Communication mode: Auditory-Verbal, Auditory-Oral or sign communication support depending on the needs of the child and family Philosophy: Children from regional and rural Australia should have access to highly specialized quality education programs offering the same level of staff expertise and similar options for communication as their city peers. This program offers both early intervention and school support programs. Families and local service providers should be supported to provide intensive communication and language programs which enable children with hearing impairment to achieve maximum development.

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Services: RIDBC Teleschool provides quality educational services to children with hearing impairments who live in regional and rural Australia. The service utilizes a combination of video conferencing, email, fax and post to deliver regular services to children via parents and sometimes local service providers. Families can also visit the RIDBC campus in Sydney to meet with other families and to enable assessment and planning sessions for their child. A team of personnel including teachers, audiologists, speech pathologists, cochlear implant education specialist, occupational therapist, paediatrician and psychologists are available if required. In addition to family-centred services, a School Support Service is offered to schools requiring specialist hearing support. This service is available for a fee and can include direct student support as well as information and advice about hearing impairment and the adjustments and accommodations that need to be made to facilitate access to the curriculum and promote the student’s full participation in every aspect of school life.

Time available: Business hours. Selection criteria: Children from time of diagnosis to 18 years. Parental involvement: Parents are seen as the first and most important educators of their child, and are involved in all aspects of the service Group meetings: Frequency is determined in consultation with each family Fees: There are no fees for services provided to families of young children. For details of current fees for RIDBC Teleschool School Support Service, please contact the Manager. Additional Comments: Families can receive regular packages including plans for the development of their child’s language and accompanying resources. Families have access to a wide range of resources including books, videos, DVDs, toys, newsletters and information sessions. Families who visit Sydney stay in onsite accommodation close to the Welwyn Centre where assessment, planning and group programs are conducted.

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RIDBC Rockie Woofit Preschool Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

Street address: RIDBC Rockie Woofit Preschool, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, 361–365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks NSW 2151. Postal address: Private Bag 29 Parramatta NSW 2124. Telephone: Voice (02) 9872 0309  Fax (02) 9872 7349 Contact: The Director. Communication mode: RIDBC Rockie Woofit preschool offers an auditory-oral approach for children who use listening and speaking as their communication mode. Philosophy: The preschool focuses on language development through listening and speech in a setting where children who have hearing-impairments and children from the local community are educated together. While the curriculum aims to develop children’s social, cognitive, motor and language skills, major emphasis is placed on language and early literacy development through dramatic play, story telling, book reading, conversation and the provision of a wide variety of language experiences.

Services: The preschool is staffed by a director, teacher of deaf students and child care workers. The specialist services of an audiologist/speech pathologist, occupational therapist and psychologist are provided as needed. The preschool operates on a reverse integration model and enrols children who have a sensory disability and children from the local community. Time available: 9.00am to 3.00pm during school term. Selection criteria: The preschool caters for children between three years and school entry age who have a hearing-impairment sufficient to warrant special education, subject to the Admission Policy of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children.

Group meetings: Parent meetings are held each term. Fees: Children with hearing-impairments pay a small fee. Others pay regular preschool fees. Additional comments: RIDBC Rockie Woofit preschool playgrounds are landscaped to provide a quiet outdoor environment to enable children to explore, discover and use a broad range of language concepts.  The sandpit, digging patch, stream, tree house and bush are used daily. A variety of excursions and visits to the preschool by interesting people promote the development of comprehensive language skills.

Parental involvement: Parents are involved in all aspects of the program. They collaborate with teachers to set goals for their children and have weekly individual sessions with their child and teacher. Parents receive daily written communication from teachers via newsletters and communication books.

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RIDBC Nepean Preschool Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

Street address: RIDBC Nepean Preschool Centre, Floribunda Avenue Glenmore Park NSW 2745. Postal address: PO Box 8161 Glenmore Park NSW 2745. Telephone: Voice (02) 4733 4239  TTY (02) 4733 4239  Fax (02) 4733 4144 Contact: The Director. Communication mode: RIDBC Nepean Preschool offers an auditory-oral approach for families who have chosen listening and speaking as the child’s communication mode. Philosophy: The preschool offers a curriculum which aims to promote children’s development in all areas by offering them a broad range of educational experiences. The major emphasis is on the development of language and early literacy.

Services: The preschool operates on a Reverse Integration Model and enrols children who have a sensory disability and children from the local community. The staff includes two teachers and two childcare workers. The support services of an audiologist/ speech pathologist, psychologist, occupational therapist and orthoptist are also available. Time available: 9.00am to 3.00pm during school term. Selection criteria: The program caters for preschool aged children until school entry who have a hearing and/or visionimpairment sufficient to warrant special education, subject to the Admission Policy of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. Parental involvement: Parents are involved in all aspects of the program. They collaborate with teachers to set goals for their

children and participate in regular individual sessions with their child and teacher. Parents receive daily written communication from teachers by newsletters and communication books. Group meetings: Regular parent meetings are held. Fees: Children with hearingimpairments are charged a small fee. Other children pay regular preschool fees. Additional comments: RIDBC Nepean is located on two hectares of land, a large portion of which has been landscaped to provide exciting, stimulating places for children to play. The outdoor environment is seen as an important element of the experiential curriculum which is offered by the centre. A variety of excursions and visits to the preschool by interesting people promote the development of comprehensive language skills. 

RIDBC Hunter Preschool Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

Street address: 160 Floraville Road, Floraville NSW 2280. Postal address: As above. Telephone: Voice (02) 4942 8455 TTY (02) 4942 8455  Fax (02) 4942 8457

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Contact: The Director. Communication mode: The RIDBC’s policy is one of respecting the parents’ decision on choice of communication mode and supporting them in that decision. The program offers auditory-oral and total communication approaches at the centre and in children’s homes.

Philosophy: RIDBC Hunter is a regional centre for children in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. The centre provides a preschool, Early Learning Program (ELP) to children who have hearing and/or vision-impairments. ELP provides a weekly home or centre-based service to families. The preschool offers attendance for children for up to five days a week depending upon parent requests and placements available.

Early Intervention and School Support Services n

Services: RIDBC Hunter aims to develop children in all areas through an experiential curriculum. The preschool operates on a Reverse Integration Model and enrols children who have a sensory disability and children from the local community. The teachers also conduct the ELP service. The support services of an audiologist/speech pathologist, psychologist, occupational therapist and orthoptist are also available. Time available: 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Preschool 9.00am to 3.00pm

Selection criteria: RIDBC Hunter Preschool caters for children from two years to school entry age, while ELP provides for children from birth until preschool or school entry. Criteria for eligibility for the services is a hearing and/or vision loss sufficient to necessitate special education, subject to the admission criteria of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. Parental involvement: Parents and staff work collaboratively to set goals for their children. Parents are welcome to participate in all aspects of the program and have regular individual sessions with their child and teacher. Regular parent meetings and newsletters are held. Parents and friends group supports the program.

Group meetings: Parent meetings are held each term. Fees: The ELP service is provided free of charge. Children with a hearing loss pay a small fee for attendance at preschool. Other children pay regular preschool fees. Additional comments: RIDBC Hunter is located on eleven acres of bushland at Lake Macquarie near Newcastle. Some of the grounds have been retained as natural bush and some have been landscaped with vegetable and flower gardens, orchards, sandpits, digging patches, animal enclosures, etc. The preschool curriculum includes learning through the outdoor environment. Language and early literacy development are priorities of the program.

RIDBC Thomas Pattison School Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

Street address: RIDBC Thomas Pattison School, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, 361–365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks NSW 2151. Postal address: Private Bag 29 Parramatta NSW 2124. Telephone: Voice (02) 9872 0238 TTY (02) 9872 0238  Fax (02) 9872 0221 Contact: The Principal. Communication mode: RIDBC Thomas Pattison School provides a regular school program to meet the educational needs

of students who use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their first or preferred language. Philosophy: The school aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to pursue their ambitions. Services: Language and communication are an important part of the program and students become bilingual. The academic program contains a broad range of challenging subjects. Time available: School days and terms.

from kindergarten until the end of Year 10. Children are eligible for the service subject to the Admission Policy of the Royal institute for Deaf & Blind Children. Parental involvement: Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child’s educational program and in school activities.  Group meetings: Regular parent meetings are held. Fees: For details of current school fees, contact the Principal.

Selection criteria: The school caters for students

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RIDBC Alice Betteridge School Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

Street address: RIDBC Alice Betteridge School Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, 361–365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks NSW 2151. Postal address: Private Bag 29 Parramatta NSW 2124. Telephone: Voice (02) 9872 0291  Fax (02) 9872 7981 Contact: The Principal. Communication mode: Each child has an individual program developed to meet their communication needs.

Philosophy: RIDBC Alice Betteridge School provides an education for children who have severe hearing and/or vision loss and a degree of intellectual impairment, to enable them to enjoy a maximum level of independence and participation in all areas of their lives. Services: Each child has a personalised educational plan prepared and implemented by a team of highly qualified professionals who maintain and update each student program on a regular basis. Time available: School days and terms.

who have hearing and/or vision impairment and a degree of intellectual disability. Placements are offered subject to the Admission Policy of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. Parental involvement: Parents/carers play an integral supporting role by becoming involved in as many appropriate ways as possible and in reinforcing the education program outside the school. Group meetings: Regular parent meetings are held. Fees: For details of current school fees, contact the Principal.

Selection criteria: The school caters for children from 4 1/2 to 18 years of age

RIDBC Garfield Barwick School Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

Street address: RIDBC Garfireld Barwick School, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind 106 Pennant Hills Road, North Parramatta NSW 2151. Postal address: Private Bag 29 Parramatta NSW 2124 Telephone: Voice (02) 8838 1400 Contact: The Principal Communication mode: RIDBC Garfield Barwick School offers an auditory/oral program for children who have significant hearing impairment. Children use 14

cochlear implants or hearing aids to support their use of spoken language. PHILOSOPHY: The school follows a regular school curriculum whilst providing specialist auditory/oral education to ensure maximum development of skill in listening and speaking. Children are gradually integrated into mainstream schools. Services: The school is located at RIDBC’s North Parramatta campus. Children attend classes at Garfield Barwick school conducted by a Teacher of the Deaf, and participate in a gradual and supported integrated program into

a mainstream partnership school within close vicinity to North Parramatta. The students generally are fully included in a mainstream school by the end of year 6 and transition onto secondary school with the support of an itinerant Teacher of the Deaf. SELECTION CRITERIA: The school caters for children from kindergarten to the end of primary school. Children who have sensorineural hearing loss are eligible for the service subject to the Admission Policy of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. TIME AVAILABLE: School days and terms.

Early Intervention and School Support Services n

RIDBC School Support Service Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

STREET ADDRESS: RIDBC Garfield Barwick Centre Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children 106 Pennant Hills Road North Parramatta NSW 2151 POSTAL ADDRESS: Private Bag 29 Parramatta NSW 2124 TELEPHONE: Voice (02) 8838 1400

CONTACT: The Principal SERVICES: RIDBC School Support Services offers specialist support to students with significant hearing impairment who attend independent schools in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan area. Students receive visits in their school from a Teacher Consultant who has been trained as a Teacher of the Deaf. As well as direct student support,

the Teacher Consultant advises schools about the adjustments and accommodations that need to be made to facilitate access to the curriculum and promote participation in school life. In addition, the student has access to consultative support from the School Support Services therapy team. An additional specialised support service for children who use Auslan is also provided at the Hills Grammar School.

RIDBC Community Support Services Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

Street address: Community Support Services, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, 361–365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks NSW 2151.

Telephone: Voice (02) 9872 0852

Postal address: Private Bag 29, Parramatta NSW 2124.

SERVICES: RIDBC Community Support Services provides assistance to children and their families who identify as being from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Background (CALD), including those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATIS) backgrounds.

Contact: The Coordinator

Community Support workers are available in targeted groups e.g. Arabic and Chinese speaking communities. Screening and follow up services for vision and hearing to ATSI communities are provided for children in Aboriginal communities in both rural and metropolitan New South Wales.

15

n Early Intervention and School Support Services

St Dominic’s Centre for Hearing-Impaired Children

Street address: St Dominic’s Centre for Hearing-Impaired Children 76 Havelock Street Mayfield NSW 2304. Postal address: PO Box 269 Mayfield NSW 2304. Telephone: Voice (02) 4968 1295 TTY (02) 4968 1295 Fax (02) 4968 0456 Email [email protected]. edu.au Web www.mayfieldsd.catholic. edu.au

Contact: The Principal. GENERAL INFORMATION: St Dominic’s offers an auditory oral program for students with hearing impairment. Programs promote the development of listening, spoken language, academic skills and positive social skills. The school works closely with families, therapists and partner school staff to achieve individual goals for each student.

TRANSITION PROGRAM: An educational program for students Kindergarten to Year 6. Students participate in a gradual and supported integration program with our partner primary school, located on the same campus. PRIMARY PROGRAM: A school readiness program which aims to equip students with early stage literacy, language, listening and social skills for a successful transition to formal schooling. HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM: Students are enrolled in our partner High School and are supported with individual tutorials and in mainstream classes.

ST Gabriel’s School STREET ADDRESS: 190 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154 POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 6126, Baulkham Hills BC, NSW 2154 TELEPHONE: Voice (02) 9634 2367 Fax (02) 9634 2610 Email [email protected].

edu.au

Website: www.stgabriels.nsw.edu.au CONTACT: The Principal PHILOSOPHY: In the tradition of Edmund Rice, St Gabriel’s exists to provide a caring and challenging specialised education for children with hearing impairment and other special needs, through focusing on language development, literacy and numeracy and social skills.

SERVICES: St Gabriel’s provides a registered and accredited Kindergarten to Year 6 school and currently a Year 8-Year 10 Learning Support Centre located at Gilroy College providing a full secondary curriculum to secondary aged students with hearing impairment.

The Shepherd Centre Street address: The Shepherd Centre University of Sydney 391–401 Abercrombie Street Darlington NSW 2008. Postal address: PO Box 871 Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012. 16

Telephone: Voice (02) 9351 7888 TTY (02) 9351 7881 Fax (02) 9351 7880 Email enquiries@shepherdcentre .com.au Web www.shepherdcentre. com.au

Contact: Director of Clinical Programs. The Shepherd Centre offers a correspondence program and services at the following five centres:

EARLY INTERVENTION AND SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES 

SYDNEY The Shepherd Centre

391–401 Abercrombie Street Darlington NSW 2008 Voice (02) 9351 7888 Fax (02) 9351 7880 TTY (02) 9351 7881 ROSEVILLE The Bourke Gibbons Shepherd Centre, Roseville

19 Bancroft Avenue Roseville NSW 2069 Voice (02) 9412 2666 Fax (02) 9419 3961 LIVERPOOL The Annette Shepherd Centre

43 Graham Avenue Casula NSW 2170 Voice (02) 9822 2299 Fax (02) 9822 2288 CANBERRA Canberra Shepherd Centre

Nealie Place Rivett ACT 2611 Voice (02) 6288 5920 Fax (02) 6288 5940 WOLLONGONG Wollongong Shepherd Centre

48 Dempster Street West Wollongong NSW 2500 Voice (02) 4226 4713 Fax (02) 4226 5278 COMMUNICATION MODE: An auditory/verbal approach is used whereby children develop spoken language through listening and learning to speak using appropriate technology as requested. PHILOSOPHY: The Shepherd Centre assists children who are deaf and hearing-impaired to develop speech and oral language skills through listening and using their residual hearing, hearing aids

and/or cochlear implants.. This in combination with integration with hearing peers, provides the opportunity for children with hearing loss to be involved in their local preschool, school and community. The Shepherd Centre is guided by the principles of familycentred practice. Intensive early intervention and family guidance is provided for hearing-impaired children and their families. The teachers and other professionals work with the family to create a learning environment whereby the child acquires speech and language through listening in every day situations. SERVICES: Services include one, one-hour teaching sessions a week or fortnight at the centre or home as well as preschool/day care visits. Home visits are provided as required. Weekly playgroups, parent support groups, audiological services and regular parent education classes are available to all Shepherd Centre families. A residential program is available to rural/remote, interstate and international families as requested usually run in January each year.

to six years of age who are fitted with hearing aids or a cochlear implant. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: Parents are the guiding force behind their child’s listening, speech and language development. They form part of the team working to support their child in the acquisition of spoken language. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: The Shepherd Centre offers regular assessments and an annual Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) with team involvement including associated professionals where appropriate. The Shepherd Centre’s outcomes for children will be published on our website in 2010. Comprehensive audiological services that complement Australian Hearing’s services are part of our program. Parents of newly diagnosed children can be put in contact with current Shepherd Centre parents through the family counsellor.

Our Liverpool and Wollongong centres have a licensed preschool attached with a maximum of five hearing-impaired and ten hearing children per day. TIME AVAILABLE: Business hours. SELECTION CRITERIA: The Shepherd Centre program is available to all children with a hearing impairment from birth 17

n Early Intervention and School Support Services

The First Sounds Cochlear Implant Program Street address: The Shepherd Centre University of Sydney 391–401 Abercrombie Street Darlington NSW 2008. Postal address: PO Box 871 Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012. Telephone: Voice (02) 9351 7888 TTY (02) 9351 7881 Fax (02) 9351 7880 Email enquiries@shepherdcentre. com.au Web www.shepherdcentre.

com.au Contact: Director of Clinical Programs at The Shepherd Centre. The First Sounds Cochlear Implant Program is a joint initiative of The Shepherd Centre and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. The cochlear implant program is

18

offered to infants and children aged 0–18 years with severeprofound hearing loss. All children undergo a comprehensive medical, audiological and habilitation (listening, speech and language) assessment when being evaluated for cochlear implantation. Most appointments required for evaluation are offered at The Shepherd Centre’s five centres: Sydney, Roseville, Wollongong, Liverpool and Canberra. Audiological management and intensive post-operative therapy is also offered at one of The Shepherd Centre’s five centres. Regular assessments allow each child’s progress to be closely monitored following cochlear implantation. Infants and preschool aged children can access The Shepherd Centre’s early intervention program, which includes playgroup and family support.

The First Sounds Cochlear Implant Team The multidisciplinary team takes a family centred approach to achieve the best outcomes for each child. Our two surgeons Dr Phillip Chang and Dr Tom Kurtesz are experienced ENT surgeons, who specialise in cochlear implant surgery. They work with the staff from The Shepherd Centre and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. The team of medical staff, paediatric audiologists, auditory-verbal therapists, and family counsellors, work together to support the child and their family through every step of the process. OUTCOMES The Shepherd Centre’s clinical staff offer annual assessments and our outcomes for children will be published on our website in 2010.

Early Intervention and School Support Services n

RIDBC Assessment Service STREET address: Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children 361-365 North Rocks Road North Rocks NSW 2151 Postal address: Private Bag 29 Parramatta NSW 2124 Telephone: Voice (02) 9872 0753  A/H (02) 9872 0335 Contact: The Coordinator COMMUNICATION MODE: A range of communication modes are supported including auditory verbal, auditory oral, Auslan or alternative communication. 

Philosophy: Children with a hearing or vision impairment benefit from access to professionals from a range of disciplines who have specialized knowledge and skills in the area of sensory impairments. Understanding the impact that hearing and/or vision impairment has on a child’s development assists with educational planning.  Services: ] RIDBC Assessment Service provides specialised educational assessments for children who have significant hearing and/or vision impairment, including children with additional disabilities. Assessment reports are generated from these assessments, with the information used to assist parents and teachers to understand more about the impact of their child’s sensory impairment on their development or

educational needs. The RIDBC Assessment Service team consists of: psychologist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, paediatrician, orthoptist, audiologist, specialist teacher in sensory impairment, physiotherapist, access technology consultant. SELECTION CRITERIA: This Australia-wide service is available for any child 0-18 years of age who has a hearing and/or vision impairment. FEE: Their is no fee for Australian residents for most assessment services. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Assessments are conducted in Metropolitan Sydney, usually on the RIDBC North Rocks campus. Low cost accommodation is available onsite for remote and interstate families.

19

summary of services

Name of organisation

Metro or Country

Early Intervention Services 0 to 3 years

3 to school age

Preschool support*

Special Preschool

School support*

Special schools

Playgroup

✓

✓

✓

✓

ACT Department of Education

ACT

✓

✓

✓

Catholic Centre for Hearing-impaired Children

Metropolitan

✓

✓

✓

Department of Education & Training

Metropolitan and Country

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children RIDBC Early Learning Program

Metropolitan

RIDBC (Nepean) Preschool

Metropolitan

RIDBC Roberta Reid Preschool

Metropolitan

RIDBC Rockie Woofit Preschool

Metropolitan

RIDBC Garfield Barwick School

Metropolitan

✓

RIDBC School Support Services

Metropolitan

✓

RIDBC Remote Early Learning Program

All Areas

RIDBC Hunter Preschool

Newcastle

St Dominic’s Centre Newcastle

Newcastle

✓

✓ (3 – school entry)

✓ (2 – school entry)

✓ (3 – school entry)

✓

✓

✓

✓

(0 – 2 years)

(2 – 5 years)

✓

✓

✓

✓

The Shepherd Centre Sydney

Metropolitan

✓

✓

✓

Chatswood

Metropolitan

✓

✓

✓

Liverpool

Metropolitan

✓

✓

✓

Bathurst

Bathurst

✓

✓

✓

Wollongong

✓

✓

✓

Canberra

✓

✓

✓

Correspondence

✓

✓

Wollongong Canberra Correspond. program

✓ (3 – 5 years)

✓ (3 – 5 years)

* Preschool or school support means a child attends a local preschool or school and a specialist teacher provides support to the child and the child’s teachers on a regular basis (for example, each week)

20

✓

✓

other services

Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIC) Street address: Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre The Old Gladesville Hospital Building 39 (Entry via Punt Road) Gladesville NSW 2111.  Postal address: PO Box 188, Gladesville NSW 1675. Telephone: Voice (02) 9844 6800  TTY (02) 9844 6800 Fax (02) 9844 6811 Email: [email protected] Web: www.scic.nsw.gov.au Contact: Centre Manager. Communication mode: SCIC supports the communication mode chosen by parents and adolescents with an emphasis on audition. Philosophy: SCIC offers a seamless service to all families including children, adolescents and adults who are considering or who have received cochlear implants. Our aim is to encourage the development of

communication through the use of audition. There are presently more than 500 children and adolescents in our program. Services: SCIC provides assessment of severely and profoundly deaf children and adolescents for cochlear implant candidacy. Postoperative management is also provided, including programming of the device, intensive auditory, speech and language therapy, family counselling and support and liaison with other agencies. SCIC clinical staff include implant surgeons, audiologists, speech and language pathologists, educators of the deaf and family counsellor. Time available: 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, plus after hours service. Parental involvement: High level parental involvement is paramount to the success of the child or adolescent. Parents are included in all aspects of their child’s assessment and

habilitation. Parent information seminars and informal coffee morning meetings are available. Funding: Currently, funding is provided by the Department of Health for a limited number of implants for Australian resident children in New South Wales. Most private health funds cover the costs of the implant prosthesis and various hospital expenses, depending on level of cover. Other costs, including post-operative medical procedures, habilitation, device programming and assessments are covered through government funding. Repair, spare parts and processor upgrades are covered through Australian Hearing funding programs.  Canberra

Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre Contact via Gladesville contact Newcastle

Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre 36 Kemp Street The Junction NSW 2291 Ph: 02 4969 5340 Fax: 02 4069 7540

Deafness Centre – The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Street address Deafness Centre The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Hawkesbury Road  Westmead NSW 2145. Postal address: Locked Bag 4001 Westmead NSW 2145

Telephone: Voice (02) 9845 2139  TTY (02) 9845 2703 Fax (02) 9845 2102 Contact: In take officer

Communication mode: Our main mode of communication is spoken English. Some staff understand some Auslan, interpreters are used in interview situations. The paediatrician has some Australasian Signed English, but Signed English interpreters are involved when appropriate. 21

n other services

Deafness CentreNew Children’s Hospital, Westmead continued

Philosophy: We offer assistance to any child or family with a problem related to deafness. We believe that most parents when given adequate and accurate information about their deaf child can make appropriate decisions about their child’s future. We do not favour a particular communication mode. We believe every child is different and a communication mode which suits one deaf child and family may be quite different to the communication mode used by another deaf child and his family. We encourage visits from other services including teachers, therapists and caregivers who have a lot to do with a particular child being assessed. In nearly all cases, they are able to shed light on problems and assist in devising constructive approaches toward remediating them.

Services: The centre does not offer ongoing teaching or early intervention. Families nearly always ask “Why is the child deaf?” The Deafness Centre offers a comprehensive medical, communication and educational assessment of the child both to try and answer the above question, and to enable the family to gain a clear idea of the child’s strengths and difficulties. The family can then make important decisions about the education of their child. Assessment and advice regarding behavioural and learning difficulties in the deaf child are also offered. It is not anticipated that all deaf children need to be seen at this centre. Many families know the reason for their child’s deafness. Many deaf children do not have significant problems requiring outside help. However, for those who do, we are able to

offer high quality multidisciplinary assessment and clear feedback to parents and caregivers, thus enabling them to make wellinformed decisions about the deaf child. The staff of the Deafness Centre include a secretary, a clerical assistant and a paediatrician. An education consultant (provided by the NSW Department of Education and Training), two part time psychologists (one whose services are donated by the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children and one whose services are donated by the NSW Department of Education and Training), and a part-time social worker for infants diagnosed at birth also work as part of the Deafness Centre team. Within the hospital we have access to the assistance of occupational therapists, speech therapists, ear, nose and throat specialists, geneticists and many other useful services.

Hearing Support Service Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick

Street Address Hearing Support Service (HSS) Allied Health, Level O, North Sydney Children’s Hospital, High Street, Randwick NSW 2031. Telephone: Voice (02) 9382 1297  Fax (02) 9382 1200 Contact: The Secretary. Communication mode: Our main mode of communication is spoken English, but sign or foreign language interpreters may be involved when appropriate. We do not favour a particular communication mode. 22

We believe every child is different and a communication mode should be chosen which best suits an individual child and their family. This may well be different from the communication mode used by other children and families. Services: The Hearing Support Service: ] Supports the families of newly diagnosed children and associated professionals ] Provides timely information and access to a variety of expertise in one location ] Provides discussion of possible causes and various intervention strategies ] Helps to make referrals to

other specialists including ear, nose and throat (ENT), ophthalmology and genetics ] Has a social worker available who is the main contact person. Our fortnightly clinic is held in the Out-Patients department of Sydney Children’s Hospital, with a Specialist Paediatrician and Genetic Counsellor available to see children and their families, similar to the Deafness Centre at the Children’s Hospital, Westmead. Who can be referred to HSS? Any child or baby with a recent diagnosis of permanent hearing loss. We do not as yet have the

other services n

psychology services to provide behavioural or educational advice. How to refer to HSS: Any health professional or parent can refer to HSS. Call or fax the Allied Health Department at Sydney Children’s Hospital and give the child’s details to the

secretary; a team member will call you back as soon as possible. If the family needs to attend the clinic a medical referral is requested. It is not anticipated that all children with hearing loss need to be seen at a service like this. Many families know the reason for their child’s

deafness. Many children do not have significant problems requiring additional help. However, for those who do, we are able to offer high quality multidisciplinary assessment and clear feedback to parents and caregivers, thus enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their child.

RIDBC Jim Patrick Audiology Centre Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

Street address: RIDBC Jim Patrick Audiology Centre Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, 361–365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks NSW 2151. Postal address: Private Bag 29 Parramatta NSW 2124. Telephone: Voice (02) 9872 0872  Fax (02) 9872 0873 Contact: The Manager.

Philosophy: The centre operates on the principle that a child is never too young for a hearing test. The centre is designed for easy of access by everybody, including those with limited mobility and parents with children in prams.  Services: Equipment and audiological techniques are available to reliably assess infants, toddlers and preschoolers (i.e., using both behavioural and electrophysiological procedures). The centre has the

ability to test older children using standard testing under headphones. Time available: Individual appointments are made by calling the centre. Referral: A referral is required from a medical practitioner. Fees: Inquiries may be directed to the centre manager.

Genetic Counselling Service Why did this happen? You have recently discovered that you have a child who is deaf or hearing-impaired. Could you have another child who has a hearingimpairment? The answer to this question is often “Yes”. Research findings show that genetic factors are involved in up to 60 per cent of children with a hearing loss. To help you determine if a future child could have a hearing loss you can ask your ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, paediatrician or family doctor to try to find the cause of your child’s hearing loss. In some cases, you may know the answer

already; for example, if your child had meningitis. However, in many cases investigations fail to tell us the cause of the deafness. In these cases it may be right to conclude that the child is deaf for genetic reasons, even if there are no hearing-impaired relatives. If this is the case, it is possible that future children born to the family could also have a hearing loss. You may wish to consult a genetic counselling service to discuss possible genetic causes of your child’s hearing loss. Understanding possible causes of hearing loss and the inheritance of deafness is

important to you now, and will be important to your children later on when they are teenagers or young adults. They too will ask, “Could I have a deaf child”? As knowledge in the field of genetics is changing dramatically every year it is sensible to periodically check with a genetics service about new tests to reveal genetic causes of deafness.  What is Genetic Counselling? Genetic counselling may involve the diagnosis of a genetic condition, the provision of information about a particular 23

n other services

Genetic Counselling Service continued

condition, and supportive counselling by a team of health professionals, so that families and individuals may be better able to adjust to the diagnosis of a genetic condition. Follow-up counselling is available to ensure ongoing support, review previous information or to address concerns as they arise. When appropriate, both parents should attend the appointment and bring with them as much information as possible about their families. In some cases, where there is a family history of a condition, photographs of the affected people may prove helpful. Reasons for seeking Genetic Counselling: ] Concerns about a condition that occurs in the family or having already had a child with a genetic condition ] Concerns about a family member with birth defects (congenital abnormalities) ] Women over age 35 who may be planning a pregnancy or who are pregnant

] Prenatal diagnosis testing ] Planning to marry a close relative ] Women with two or more pregnancy losses, stillbirths or early infant deaths ] Effects of drugs, infections and other substances during pregnancy.

Genetics clinics have been established in the following locations: Metropolitan Camperdown (02) 9515 5080 Liverpool

(02) 9828 4665

Newcastle

(02) 4985 3100

Randwick

(02) 9382 1704

Westmead

(02) 9845 3273

What happens in Genetic Counselling? Information about you and your family will be gathered. A family tree will be drawn up. 

St Leonards

(02) 9926 6478

Kogarah

(02) 9350 3635

Penrith

(02) 4734 3362

You or your child may have a physical examination by the clinical geneticist to clarify the diagnosis. Tests may be ordered. Full discussion occurs regarding the genetic condition and the associated implications.

Broken Hill

(08) 8080 1554

Canberra

(02) 6244 2133

Where can I go? To find the most convenient genetic counselling clinic for you, please call the Centre for Genetics on Voice (02) 9926 7324 Fax (02) 9906 7529.

Rural Bathurst

(02) 6330 5677

Dubbo

(02) 6885 8937

Coffs Harbour

(02) 6656 7200

Forster

(02) 6555 1800

Gosford

(02) 4328 7994

Goulburn

(02) 4827 3951

Lismore

(02) 6620 2967

Kempsey

(02) 6588 2882

Kingscliff

(02) 6674 9500

Mudgee

(02) 6378 6236

Port Macquarie (02) 6588 2882 Tamworth

(02) 6767 8100

Taree

(02) 6592 9703

Wagga Wagga (02) 6938 6666

RIDBC Renwick Centre Library

24

Address: Renwick Centre Library, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, 361–365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks NSW 2151.

Deaf and Blind Children at North Rocks and serves the needs of the postgraduate training and research students of the Renwick Centre. 

Telephone: Voice/TTY (02) 9872 0285 Fax (02) 9872 0809 E-mail: renwick.library@ridbc. org.au

Renwick Centre provides professional training and research in the education of children with sensory disabilities that is administered by the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children in affiliation with the University of Newcastle. In addition to serving the centre, the library serves the professional staff of the RIDBC and the families of children accessing

This highly specialised library offers one of Australia’s best collections in the area of education for children with hearing-impairment. It is located on site at the Royal Institute for

the RIDBC services. It provides resources in special education, specifically in the area of children with sensory disability and multiple impairments. The resources include books. The library is not open to the public, but researchers may make an appointment with the Library Manager to access the collection (02) 9872 0396.

AUSTRALIAN HEARING NSW/ACT HEARING CENTRES

ALBURY

HORNSBY

NOWRA

TAREE

480 David Street, Albury 2640

The Madison Practice Suite 6, The Madison Building 25-29 Hunter Street, Hornsby NSW 2077

Suite 2, 19 Nowra Lane Nowra 2541

82 High Street, Taree 2430

Voice TTY Fax

(02) 6041 2044 (02) 6041 2944 (02) 6041 2088

BANKSTOWN

Voice Fax

(02) 9482 0800 (02) 9482 4365

Voice

(02) 9722 6200

Fax

(02) 9791 9082

HURSTVILLE Shop 41, 39 Park Road Hurstville 2220

BLACKTOWN

Voice TTY Fax

Level 8, Westpoint Tower 17 Patrick Street, Blacktown 2148

KEMPSEY

Voice TTY Fax

(02) 9831 8860 (02) 9831 8280 (02) 9831 3422

CHATSWOOD 398 Victoria Avenue (entry from Victor Street, opposite Post Office) Chatswood 2067 Voice TTY Fax

(02) 9411 4533 (02) 9411 4533 (02) 9413 1807

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY (paediatric)

(02) 9585 7800 (02) 9580 1546 (02) 9580 9520

41 Bellgrave Street Kempsey 2440 Voice TTY Fax

131 797 (02) 6584 1144 (02) 6583 3369

(02) 9412 6820 (02) 9412 6833

COFFS HARBOUR

Voice TTY Fax

TWEED HEADS

(02) 9633 6500 (02) 9893 4201 (02) 9687 7490

(02) 4397 7500 (02) 4397 2563

Level 2, 2 O’Reilly Street Wagga Wagga 2650

Voice Fax

Voice TTY Fax

(02) 4720 3400 (02) 4721 5321

(02) 6584 1144 (02) 6583 3369

(07) 5599 4899 (07) 5599 4939

(02) 6922 2300 (02) 6921 7733 (02) 6921 7991

Ground Floor, 13-15 Moore Street Liverpool NSW 2170

SALAMANDER BAY C/-Port Stephens Medical Centre

WOLLONGONG

Voice TTY Fax

2 Keel Street, Salamander Bay NSW 2317

3rd Floor, Corporate Square 43 Burelli Street Wollongong 2500

(02) 9612 3700 (02) 9600 6682 (02) 9600 6782

(02) 4937 9700 (02) 4933 7463 (02) 4933 9829

Suite 202, Level 2 Office Tower Westfield Shoppingtown The Kingsway, Miranda 2228 Voice TTY Fax

(02) 9526 5188 (02) 9526 5872 (02) 9526 5177

NEWCASTLE OTP House 10 Bradford Close, Kotara NSW 2289

Shop 69 Grafton Shopping World

Voice Fax

WAGGA WAGGA

Voice TTY Fax

GRAFTON

128 Marsden Street, Parramatta NSW 2150

133 Gordon Street Port Macquarie 2444

40 Mann Street, Gosford 2250 (02) 4324 2088 (02) 4324 2639 (02) 4323 3095

3/28 Canton Beach Road Toukley 2263

PORT MACQUARIE

(02) 6623 2100 (02) 6622 1095 (02) 6621 2159

MIRANDA

GOSFORD

PARRAMATTA

Voice TTY Fax

Voice Fax

(02) 6881 2400 (02) 6885 1929

TOUKLEY

Voice Fax

12 Fisher Road Dee Why 2099

Voice Fax

(02) 6393 0500 (02) 6362 6317 (02) 6362 9742

Voice Fax

Voice TTY Fax

Unit 2, 10-12 Cobra Street Dubbo NSW 2830

Voice TTY Fax

Shop 2a, 65 The Boulevarde, Toronto NSW 2283 Voice (02) 4979 0600 Fax (02) 4950 4711

Shop 7, 140 Henry Street, Penrith

Units 2 & 4, The Albion Centre Albion Street, Maitland 2320

DUBBO

Cnr Kite Street and Lords Place Orange 2800

Level 1, Conway Court Cnr Conway & Molesworth Streets Lismore 2480

Voice Fax

(02) 9971 0922 (02) 9971 2577

TORONTO

PENRITH

MAITLAND

DEE WHY

(02) 6584 1144 (02) 6584 1144 (02) 6583 3369

LISMORE

2 Lyster Street, Coffs Harbour 2450 02 6652 0700 (02) 6651 4832

Voice TTY Fax

Suite 3/4 Riverside Professional Centre 80–82 Keith Compton Drive Tweed Heads 2485

LIVERPOOL

Voice Fax

(02) 4422 6144 (02) 4422 6146 (02) 4422 6145

ORANGE

Lower Ground Floor, Civic Tower Suite 1, 66-72 Rickard Road Bankstown NSW 2200

Voice TTY Fax

Voice TTY Fax

(02) 4962 1388 (02) 4962 1365 (02) 4962 2184

Voice

(02) 4962 1388

Fax

(02) 4962 2184

SPRINGWOOD Shop 14a, 125 Macquarie Road, Springwood NSW 2777 Voice

(02) 4752 2800

Fax

(02) 4751 9845

SYDNEY Suite 5.01, Level 5, 131 York Street Sydney 2000 Voice TTY Fax

(02) 9269 3500 (02) 9283 1762 (02) 9264 3939

Voice TTY Fax

(02) 4254 1200 (02) 4226 0178 (02) 4226 2649

WOY WOY Shop 5a, 29-37 George St, Woy Woy NSW 2256 Voice

(02) 4344 9200

Fax

(02) 4341 2067

CANBERRA Units 4 & 5, 74 Northbourne Ave, Canberra City, ACT 2600 Voice TTY Fax

(02) 6232 3200 (02) 6247 8125 (02) 6257 7720

TAMWORTH Rear, Ground Floor 422–426 Peel Street Tamworth 2340 Voice TTY Fax

(02) 6768 1900 (02) 6766 7399 (02) 6766 2412

52-74 Fitzroy Street Grafton NSW 2460 Voice Fax

(02) 6642 4603 (02) 6642 8321

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You can be connected to your nearest Australian Hearing centre by calling 131 797

March 2010

www.hearing.com.au