Early Learning Program

The Early Learning Program (ELP) works in partnership with the Arizona Early Intervention Program to provide early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth to age three) all over the state of Arizona who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deafblind.

Early Intervention Referral
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WHO WE ARE

Who are we?

We are a team of teachers highly qualified in the area of sensory impairment.

What do we do?

  • We provide data-driven services and supports so that children who are D/HH, B/VI, and DB achieve age-appropriate milestones across all developmental domains. 
  • Services and supports are provided to infants and toddlers and their families in the home and in the community; and to children ages three to five in site-based preschool programs. 

Why do we do it?

  • To empower families.
  • To allow for a smooth transition process from early childhood to preschool.
  • To better prepare our youngest learners for kindergarten. 

Where are we going?

An exemplary birth to age five program that provides the supports necessary for a smooth transition from family-focused services to child-focused services at age three. 

How are we getting there?

We are meeting within and across regions/programs to promote continuous improvement by examining:

  • Current transition processes
  • Whether or not services across the state are equitable
  • How to improve supports

Early Learning Program

ASDB’s Early Learning Program (ELP) serves children, birth to age five, who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, and deafblind across the state of Arizona. The goal of the ELP is to ease the transition from early childhood to preschool, and ultimately better prepare our youngest learners for kindergarten. Birth to three and preschool teachers work together to facilitate the transition from IDEA Part C services (birth to age three) to IDEA Part B services (age three to age five) to achieve this goal.

Our team of more than 75 teachers, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and support staff, in addition to our contractors, work in concert to deliver high-quality learning opportunities to approximately 600 children and their families statewide. Our teachers are experts in providing data-driven services and supports that are shown to assist children in achieving age-appropriate milestones across all developmental domains. Seeing children achieve their potential is what drives this group of dedicated individuals.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

  • Every child matters.
  • Every child deserves services.
  • Every child has the right to learn how to communicate.
  • Early intervention makes a difference and a lack thereof puts a heavier burden on agency resources later.
  • Every child deserves to be viewed as a whole child, not by their disability.
  • Parents are an important part of the team and their voices should be heard.
  • All families can enhance their child’s learning with supports.
  • Coaching parents and caregivers is highly effective because they spend the most time with their children.
  • Children need small class sizes, homogeneously grouped by language level and modality.
  • We recognize the challenges rural areas face in serving children and believe in equitable services; geography should not be a barrier.
  • Every child has unique strengths that should be recognized and respected.
  • All children deserve the continuum of care.
  • There are multiple factors that impact a child’s growth – some out of our control.
  • Every teacher and therapist matters and deserves to be supported and made to feel valued.
  • Positive school climate positively impacts teacher and therapist retention and student outcomes.

Our Services

Pediatric Audiology

Audiology services are provided in Tucson and Phoenix to enable early fitting of hearing aids and to support the managing community Audiologist Phoenix and Tucson Early Childhood Programs have Audiology support available up to 8 hours per week. Clinics for diagnostic testing are available as well as support in making earmold impressions and fitting of loaner hearing aids for newly identified infants and Toddlers. We have a limited number of loaner FM units available for children who qualify and are hoping to expand our loaner FM program. Please call the Regional office or work with your child’s Early Childhood Hearing Teacher to inquire about Audiology clinic hours. Tucson 520-770-3002 Phoenix 602-771-5204

Hearing Specialists
ASDB Early Childhood Program has 13 full time and a handful of part time Master level Teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing with early childhood endorsement available to support families having children with hearing loss throughout all of Arizona. The Teachers work with the Arizona Early Intervention Program Teams to assist in the development of an Individualized Family Service Plan for your child and family and to identify services needed to meet the goals of that plan. Teachers provide services in the home, childcare facility or other natural environment with an emphasis on activities and learning that can occur around daily routines. Your Early Childhood Hearing Teacher will help you understand the type and degree of your child’s hearing loss and the potential impact of that loss on your child’s development. Your Teacher will assist you in working with an Audiologist, attend Audiological appts with you if needed, and assist you in making decisions about amplification for your child. In addition you Hearing Teacher will discuss with you the communication options and opportunities available for a child with hearing loss. Our Teachers are prepared to support your family in developing your child’s language skills via Listening and Spoken Language (LSL), American Sign Language (ASL), a combination of both sign and speech or Cued Speech. Services in the home or natural environment from your teacher will focus on developing language and supporting the goals you have developed for your child while providing ongoing assessment to monitor your child’s growth in all areas of development. The Hearing Teacher will also support you during your transition out of the birth – 3 program into a variety of possible preschool programs to meet the needs of your child.
Vision Specialists
ASDB Early Childhood Program has 4 full time and a handful of part time Master level Certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired with early childhood endorsement available to support families having children with visual impairments throughout all of Arizona. Our program also has Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists to provide evaluations and ongoing services to children as well. ASDB contracts with the Foundation for Blind Children to provide vision services and orientation and mobility to children 0-3 in Maricopa County. The Teachers work with the Arizona Early Intervention Program Teams to assist in the development of an Individualized Family Service Plan for your child and family and to identify services needed to meet the goals of that plan. Teachers provide services in the home, childcare facility or any other natural environment with an emphasis on sensory, visual, mobility and learning activities that can occur around daily routines and travel. Your Early Childhood Vision Teacher and Orientation and Mobility Specialist will help you understand the visual impairment and the potential impact of that impairment on your child’s development, literacy and mobility. Your Vision Teacher will help you understand the information on the ophthalmological report and will attend eye doctor appointments with you when possible. The Vision Teacher will help to evaluate all areas of your child’s development and discuss what services, supports and materials will help you to encourage your child’s vision, development and travel. The Vision Teacher will also support you during your transition out of the birth to 3 program into a variety of possible preschool programs to meet the needs of your child.
Parent Toddler Classes
Parent Toddler classes are offered weekly to families in Tucson and in Phoenix. These classes are offered to children age 2 to 3 years of age and older in Phoenix. Toddlers are required to attend class with a Parent or Caregiver. Children will participate in child directed activities with their parents receiving coaching from a classroom teacher in supporting their child’s language and social skills. Individual time is made available for each child and their parent/caregiver during class to focus on individualized language/speech/listening goals outside of the Toddler classroom in a 1:1 opportunity with a Teacher. The classes are offered at the following locations on the following days. For more information on Parent Toddler Classes please speak with your Hearing Teacher or call the Regional Early Childhood office.

Tucson – Parent Toddler class is offered on Mondays from 9:00 – 11:30 at the Early Childhood Building on the ASDB Campus. 520-770-3002

Phoenix – Parent Toddler class is offered on the following days at the Preschool Building on the PDSD campus. 602-771-5204
Tuesdays (Spanish Speaking Class) 9:30 – 12:00
Wednesday (English) 9:00 – 11:30
Thursday (English) 9:30 -12:00

Listening and Spoken Language Support
The ASDB Early Childhood Program has a Certified Auditory Verbal Educator on staff to provide ongoing training and support to the Early Childhood Hearing Teachers and to families choosing a Listening and Spoken Language Approach to Communication. ASDB also contracts out with other Listening and Spoken Language Specialists in Arizona to meet the needs of children and families.
ASL/Deaf Mentor Support
The Family Mentor program provides children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families the opportunity to interact with and learn from a Deaf or Hard of Hearing adult. Families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing ages 0-5 can receive support from a Deaf Mentor. Birth to 3 families receive home based visits. Deaf children between the ages 3-5 receive Deaf Mentor support through center based sign language classes. Deaf Mentors share their experiences, demonstrate natural communication, and teach sign language using the Deaf Mentor Curriculum to provide individualized support for families.
Sign Language Classes
Weekly sign language classes are offered to families in both Tucson and Phoenix. Please discuss the time and location of these classes with your Early Childhood Teacher.
Parent to Parent Support and Family Gatherings
ASDB Early Childhood Teachers make an effort to provide opportunities for families to network with each other by planning family events and gatherings on our own and in cooperation with our programs such as Arizona Hands and Voices. The Phoenix and Tucson programs have annual events such as the Fall Festival, Spring Fling, an annual event at the Phoenix and Tucson Zoos among other opportunities. Smaller family gatherings are offered regionally throughout the state.

 Contact ELP Today!