Deaf Mentoring Program

Deaf Mentoring is intended to provide a choice-based approach to home based language, literacy and socio-cultural support services for our young deaf (0-3) students and their families.  In the past, in our 3-21 programs, we have primarily utilized our Shared Reading Program to support families and children in developing sign language and literacy skills in the home.  However, for some families, there appears to be an opportunity to provide a different approach that would focus more specifically on promoting self-esteem, communication and language usage (specifically ASL), and identity for the deaf child in the Deaf community (Pittman, 2002).    In addition, research suggests that attitudes towards deafness, ASL and Deaf culture are more positive by those participating in this type of Deaf Mentoring Program (Watkins, et al., 1998). 

The Deaf Mentor Program at PSD builds on language acquisition research and promotes bilingual services in the home for hearing families (Pittman, 2002; SKI-HI, 2005).  The Deaf Mentor Program allows participating families the opportunity to have a Deaf Mentor join the family during particular family events, happenings and routines within the context of the home.  These regularly scheduled visits (usually weekly) promote ASL usage between all members of the family and their deaf child and promote awareness of Deaf culture and the Deaf community through regular, natural opportunities in the family environment (Watkins, Pittman, & Walden, 1998).  The specific activities and focus draw upon the Deaf Mentor curriculum and works in conjunction with Early Intervention home visits and school-based parent involvement activities.

In our EI (Infants, Toddlers and Families, program), Deaf Mentoring supplements and/or alternate with more traditional home visit opportunities.  For our Early Childhood programs, we offer this option to families in addition to continuing to offer enrollment in the Shared Reading Program.  It is our hope that families feel comfortable electing participation in the program that best meets the needs of their child and family. 

If you have any questions about these programs, please contact us at 215-951-4701 or at ecc@psd.org.