Perspectives Corporation employs a team of professionals specializing in the field of mental health and Deafness. Our Children and Adult programs provide a variety of support services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals who present with additional developmental and mental health needs. These services have included educational, residential and vocational supports with a strong therapeutic component. Perspectives Corporation recognizes the importance of providing these support services in a culturally affirming environment.

HOME-BASED THERAPEUTIC SERVICES (HBTS)

Perspectives Youth & Family Services, Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program, provides intensive therapeutic support services in a language that best fits the identified child, parent, and family as a unit while in the child’s home. A clinical team of professionals highly knowledgeable in the field of Deafness, or who may be Deaf themselves, and who are skilled in American Sign Language as well as other modes of manual/visual communication collaborates with the family through a clinical interview and determines what form or forms of communication would best fit the treatment modality for that particular child and their developmental needs.

Services, for example, may be provided in American Sign Language, Sign Supported English, or any other combination of voice, gestures and pictures. A comprehensive treatment plan is developed that includes positive support strategies designed to shape problematic behaviors in to safe and functional actions where the child is able to effectively communicate their needs.

Home Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS)

QUALIFYING CANDIDATES

Appropriate referrals would include a child, parent, or primary care-giver who has an identified hearing loss as evidenced by an audiogram or other acceptable means of screening for hearing loss, or who uses a formalized system of sign language (e.g., American Sign Language) as a primary mode of communication.

Examples of appropriate referrals for this specialized program include:

1.	The Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing child as the Identified Client (IC)

• Regardless of the degree of hearing loss (mild, moderate, severe, profound).
• Regardless of child’s primary mode of communication (can be American Sign Language, Sign Supported English, etc.)

2.	Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Parent(s) or Primary Caregiver of the Identified Client.

• Where sign language is used as a primary mode of communication within the home.
• Regardless of the child’s level of hearing.

3.	The Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing child with an additional physical / developmental disability (e.g. Down’s Syndrome, Deaf/Blind, CHARGE Syndrome, etc.)

• Who would benefit from therapeutic services provided by a team proficient in sign language.
• A child who has a communication disorder who also could benefit from treatment using a formalized system of sign language (e.g., American Sign Language) as a primary mode of communication.

Transitional School Services (TSS), Therapeutic Summer Program, Adult Residential and Adult Day Services (ADS) are other programs that have supported Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing individuals with additional needs at Perspectives

For more information about D/HOH services, contact James Simon, LICSW, Clinical Director of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services at 401/294-8181 (voice) or 401/583-0086 (TTY).