With mandatory newborn hearing screenings and advances in cochlear implant technology, there has been an increase in cochlear implanted infants and toddlers on Long Island. As a result, the need to start a new auditory/oral preschool class (without sign language support) and a cochlear implant MAPping site at Mill Neck is urgent.

After months of research and development, professionals at Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf have developed a 3-year pilot program consisting of a new auditory/oral preschool program and a cochlear implant MAPping site.

In year one, a new preschool class for children (birth to 5) with cochlear implants, or who are hard of hearing, opened in September 2003. The mission of this class is to provide hearing impaired children with the communication skills needed to be successful in a hearing and speaking world, as well as to provide families with a comprehensive educational program. This will allow them to take an active role in their child's communication development.

To enter the program, a child must be referred and, following an evaluation, meet specific criteria. A commitment to an auditory/oral approach will be required from both staff and parents, meaning no sign language will be used in this class. All children in this preschool class will receive intensive one-to-one speech and language therapy on a daily basis. Ongoing parent education, training and workshops, in addition to regular home visits, will also be part of the program.

MAPping of the cochlear implants will also be implemented within the 3-year project. This capability will enable audiologists, teachers and speech therapists to work closely with and make regular adjustments to the cochlear implant processors.

For more information, please email projects@millneck.org