Transitioning to school
The transition between early intervention and school is an exciting milestone for a child and their family
The decision of where to send a child to school can be fraught with the responsibility of making the best choice for a child’s future. For parents and carers of a child with a hearing loss or any additional needs, it can also be an emotional time of change and uncertainty.
Families may feel they are moving from the family-focused services of an early intervention program, where they are the decision makers and advocates for their child’s therapy and intervention, to a more formal educational school program.
A plan to ensure a smooth and successful transition to kindy and school is essential for a child who needs ongoing support. Preparing them for school prepares them for future learning and development.
Families in the TSH Early Intervention Chatterbox Program may transition to a mainstream school with either a TSH Outpost School Support Program or to the School of Special Education Needs – Sensory (SSENS).
What can I expect from the transition process at Chatterbox?
Chatterbox’ multidisciplinary team completes an assessment procedure of the child’s progress. This becomes part of handover report to the school and program the child is transitioning to.
Together with the family, the Chatterbox case manager arranges a meeting with the school and the TSH Outpost teacher and multidisciplinary team to discuss future goals and school transition
If transitioning to SSENS, the Chatterbox case manager completes a handover report. Families are given a copy of the handover report and provide authority for TSH to hand over the report to SSENS.
Steps to support a transition into school:
Familiarise your child to the school with an orientation program (includes school visits, meeting the kindy teacher and other children)
Ensure your child has optimal hearing technology and assistive devices such as a Personal Microphone System and Sound Field classroom technology
Ensure that the TSH teacher is working with the school to help them understand how to support your child’s listening skills and understanding any challenges that they may face.
Understand that a multitude of feelings can be experienced by yourself and your child during the transition process. Acknowledge your own emotions and help your child to identify their own feelings.
Discuss the positive aspects of school to help build excitement.
Build your child’s social skills (e.g. smiling, saying hello and goodbye, making eye contact, taking turns in play and conversation, reinforcing positive social behaviour)
Ease them into the school routine by staggered starts, maintaining other routines and having realistic expectations
For children who may need some extra support in transitioning to kindergarten or up a year at school, you can ask us for help to create a transition book for your child.
Telethon Speech & Hearing (TSH) is partnered with sixteen independent schools around Perth to deliver School Support Programs (Outpost) to students with hearing loss and their families.
The program, based in the mainstream school, provides for students with hearing loss from Kindergarten to Year 12. Students in the School Support Program are able to access a range of support disciplines while being integrated into the mainstream classes, to maximise their academic potential, school life success and create strong friendships.
A multidisciplinary team of support staff work with the family, teachers and students to ensure that the students are holistically supported in their school setting. The team consists of Teachers of the Deaf or Specialist Teachers, Education Assistants, Audiologist, Psychologist, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Note Takers for secondary students. The level of support that a student receives is tailored to their individual needs.
The TSH Outpost School Support Program strives towards achieving the following:
Supporting students with hearing loss to maximise their academic potential/achievement and educational outcomes
Facilitating classroom teachers/educators understanding of students hearing loss and the impact on their educational needs
Supporting class teachers through the provision of education assistants in the classroom and note takers in high school
Ensuring students with hearing loss have best access to hearing in classrooms by assessing acoustic environment of the classroom
Provision of a holistic program e.g. audiologists, OT, speech pathologist and psychologist who visit schools to support students, families and school staff
Supporting the family in ensuring their child has everything he/she needs to support their learning as specified in IEP (Individual Education Plan) document
Supporting self-advocacy skills in the students so they can advocate for their own needs
Our current list of Outpost schools include:
Aquinas College, Salter Point
Emmanuel Catholic College, Success
John Wollaston Anglican Community School, Camillo
Kalamunda Christian School, Walliston
Mazenod College, Lesmurdie
Mel Maria Catholic Primary School, Attadale
Newman College, Churchlands
Northshore Christian Grammar, Alkimos
Servite College, Tuart Hill
St Brigid’s College, Lesmurdie
St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School, Hocking
St Luke’s Catholic Primary School, Woodvale
St Pius X Catholic Primary School, Manning
St Stephen’s School, Duncraig
St Stephen’s School, Carramar
Ursula Frayne, Victoria Park
Back to school essentials.
Don’t forget to pack the following items for when your child heads off to school.
Contact Us
For more information regarding the TSH Outpost School Support Program contact TSH Principal Janene Hall on 93879888 or jhall@tsh.org.au
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Telethon Speech & Hearing acknowledges and thanks all individuals and organisations for their support of our centre, including: Channel 7 Telethon Trust, Channel 7 and The West Australian
