Frederick Campus - Maryland School for the Deaf

ASL for Students
American Sign Language (ASL) is acknowledged as the natural language of the Deaf community. ASL is
offered on both an instructional level for those students desiring an academic study of the language and also at
an intervention level for students who have not attained a sufficient functional command of the language.
ASL for Families
MSD provides American Sign Language (ASL) instruction to families and caretakers. These classes are
available to all family members and caretakers of students enrolled at MSD. ASL classes may be offered every
fall and spring semester in the evenings. There may be a nominal fee for class materials.
From pre-school on, each student receives services to help them become effective communicators. Services
provided individually and in small group settings are…
Audiology
� Comprehensive Diagnostic assessments: As required by IDEA 2004 or more frequent as
requested by parents. These assessments include measurement of auditory status, audiograms
for admissions/transfer/exit, and to report and communicate findings with all IEP team members.
� Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Services: Recommend, program, fit/adjust, troubleshoot,
secure repairs, verify performance, facilitate communication between MSD and outside Hearing &
Speech services. Cochlear implant programming services, which include adjustments,
troubleshooting, repair follow-up, verification of performance and facilitation of communication
between the student's implant hospital center and family. Programming services are not offered
during the 1st year post implantation.
� Home visit: Family education and support as well as private pre-school in-service workshops for
children receiving support from our Family Education Program.
� Assistive Technology: Recommend, monitor, adjust and secure repairs for classroom listening
enhancement systems and assist families in evaluating and selecting additional assistive
technology for personal purchase.
� In-service Training: To MSD staff and community members regarding audiology, hearing aids,
cochlear implants and assistive technology.
Communication Services
Spoken Language sessions are available for enrolled students, as specified in the Individualized Education
Plan (IEP). A Speech-Language Pathologist, Audiologist and/or Deaf Educator assesses students
communication skills. This information assists the team in developing a communication plan to enhance their
student’s receptive and expressive English language skills. Direct therapy is provided in small groups or during
one-on-one sessions, either on a pullout basis and/or an inclusion setting, based on the individual needs of
each student. All MSD staff are licensed and/or certified in their area of specialty.
These sessions can include, but are not limited to the following:
� Auditory Training—detection, discrimination, identification, and comprehension
� Articulation/Pronunciation Training
� Phonological Awareness
� Speechreading Skill Training, including oral/motor skills
� Pragmatic Language Training (e.g. establishing eye contact, turn taking, maintaining a topic of
conversation)
� Communication Strategies to prevent or repair communication breakdowns
� Augmentative Communication Training
� Language Expansion—both receptive/expressive language building
� Fostering a link between spoken English and literacy
Parent and Student Handbook, 2012-2013 Frederick 54