The Auditory/Oral School of NY was founded to offer the option of an auditory-oral education to hearing -impaired and deaf children in New York. Our warm and professional staff is dedicated to meeting the individual educational and developmental needs of each of our children. The services at AOSNY include parent-infant, early intervention and preschool programs, family training and support groups, counseling, individual speech and listening therapy, audiological services, physical, occupational and sensory integration therapy as well as comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluations. Our specialized quality education using the auditory/oral approach, through an exciting, interactive, cognitive, social curriculum, helps hearing impaired children develop their potential as oral communicators. Our children are encouraged to rely on their ability, NOT their disability.

About the School Contact Information Directions Environs Mission Statement Educational Philosophy History Our Staff Educational Programs Early Intervention Home-based Parent / Infant Auditory-Verbal Preschool Academic Mainstream Extracurricular Clinical Services Audiological Cochlear Implant Speech and Language Counseling Assessment Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy Additional Programs Parent Support Groups Summer Sessions News and Information Event Calendar Fundraising Getting In Admission Tuition Financial Aid

About the School

Contact Information

Contact Information

Program Director
Pnina Bravmann, MS,CCC/SLP-A, Cert AV-T

Pre-school
2164 Ralph Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11234
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Early Intervention Site
3623 Avenue L
Brooklyn, NY 11210
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Early Intervention Site
1350 East 37th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11210
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(718) 531-1800 Phone
(718) 421-5395 Fax

Email: info@auditoryoral.org

Theresa Bulger, CEO
Auditory/Oral Foundation
50 West 72nd Street,112
NY, NY 10023
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(212) 655-9377 Phone
(212) 362-0119 Fax

Directions

by Car to Early Intervention Site at East 37th St and Avenue L

• Belt Parkway to Exit 11N (Flatbush Avenue/Kings Plaza). Continue straight on Flatbush Avenue until Avenue L, make left hand turn for 2 blocks to East 37th Street. Make right hand turn and park. Early Intervention location is on the corner of Avenue L/East 37th St (handicap accessible ramp) and the Parent/Infant Home is at 1350 East 37th Street.
• Brooklyn Queens Expressway to Prospect Expressway-which turns into Ocean Parkway. Straight on Ocean Parkway until Avenue L. Left hand turn on Avenue L-continue straight down Avenue L until East 37th Street. Left hand turn on East 37th Street and find closest parking space. Early Intervention location is on the corner of Avenue L/East 37th St and the Parent/Infant Home is at 1350 East 37th Street.

Third Level

by Public Transportation to Early Intervention From Manhattan

• Subway 2 or 5 to Flatbush Avenue/Brooklyn College Junction-transfer to B41 to Avenue L. Walk two short blocks to the Corner of Avenue L and East 37th Street.
• Subway Q to Avenue M Station-transfer to B9 to East 36th street. Walk 1/2 short block to the corner of Ave L and East 37th Street.
• BM1 Command Bus Directly to East 38th Street/Ave. K-walk 2 blocks to Ave L and East 37th Street.

by Public Transportation to Early Intervention From Brooklyn

• From Kings Plaza Area-Take B41 to corner of Flatbush Ave./Ave. L. walk 2 short blocks to East 37th Street.
• From Bay Ridge Area-Take B9 to East 36th street. Walk 1/2 short block to the corner of Ave L and East 37th Street
• From Downtown Brooklyn-B41 to Flatbush Ave./Ave. L. Walk 2 short blocks to East 37th Street.
• From Kings Highway Area-B7 or B82 to East 37th Street. Walk 1/2 block to Avenue L.

by Public Transportation to Early Intervention From Queens

• Q35 to Flatbush Avenue/ Avenue K Walk 1 short block to East 37th Street.
• Subway 2 or 5 to Flatbush Ave/transfer to B41 to Avenue L. Walk 2 short blocks to East 37th Street.

by Car to Preschool at Ralph Avenue

• Belt Parkway to Exit 11N (Flatbush Avenue/Kings Plaza). Continue straight on Flatbush Avenue until Avenue K, make right hand turn and continue straight on Avenue K until Ralph Avenue. Make Right hand turn for just one block. Building is on the corner of Avenue L/Ralph Avenue. Pull into Parking lot adjacent to the building.
• Brooklyn Queens Expressway to Prospect Expressway-which turns into Ocean Parkway. Straight on Ocean Parkway until Avenue J. Left hand turn on Avenue J-continue straight down Avenue J until Ralph Avenue. Right hand turn on Ralph Ave. until corner of Avenue L- pull into parking lot immediately preceding building.

by Public Transportation to Preschool at Ralph Avenue From Manhattan

• Subway 3 to Ralph Avenue/Rutland Road-transfer to B47 to Ralph Avenue and Avenue L (Bus stop is the corner directly across the street from building).
• Subway 2 or 5 to Flatbush Avenue/Brooklyn College Junction-transfer to B41 to Avenue N/Ralph Avenue Station (not B41 to Kings Plaza). Walk two blocks to the Corner of Avenue L and Ralph Avenue.
• Subway D or Q to Avenue J Station-transfer to B6 to Ralph Avenue (in nice weather you can walk about 4 blocks to Avenue L or) transfer to B47 to Ralph Avenue/Avenue L.
• BM1 Command Bus Directly to Ralph Avenue/Ave. K-walk 1 block to Avenue L.

by Public Transportation Preschool at Ralph Avenue From Brooklyn:

• From Kings Plaza Area-Take B47 to corner of Ralph Ave./Ave. L.
• From Bay Ridge Area-Take B9 to Kings Plaza transfer to B47 to corner of Ralph Avenue/Ave. L
• From Downtown Brooklyn-B47 to Ralph Ave./Ave. L
• From Kings Highway Area-B7 or B82 to Flatbush Ave transfer to B41 to Avenue N/Ralph Ave.

by Public Transportation Preschool at Ralph Avenue From Queens:

• Q35 to Kings Plaza, transfer to B47 to Avenue L/Ralph Ave.
• Subway 2 or 5to Flatbush Ave/transfer to B41 to Avenue N/Ralph Ave. Walk 2 blocks to Avenue L.

Environs

AOSNY's (Auditory/Oral School of NY) centers are conveniently located near public transportation and have ample free parking. Families will find accessible transportation and convenient shopping facilities within the safe, residential neighborhood.

There is fenced-in play yard space at two locations. Nearby is a newly renovated, beautiful park with brand new playground, for the children to enjoy. All slides are metal and compatible with a cochlear implant's specialized habilitation needs.

The Early Intervention Centers are in a homelike environment conducive to the comfort and language development of the infants and toddlers who use the facility. They are bright, with state of the art facilities for therapy and auditory oral/verbal education.

Ralph Avenue pre-school is filled with activity and gaily decorated walls featuring the children's activities and artwork.

Mission Statement

The Auditory/Oral School of NY is committed to the academic and social mainstreaming of hearing-impaired children. Our specialized quality education, using the auditory/oral approach, helps hearing-impaired children develop their potential as oral communicators. Our children are encouraged to rely on their ability, NOT their disability.

"Daphne didn't know any words nothing. And she learned every word. She liked the school from the first day." -- mother of Daphne, student 2001-2005

"AOSNY is really a school that cares about each and every child and makes them shine like a true star." -- mother of Miriam, student 2003-2005

Educational Philosophy

Our curriculum is experience-oriented and focuses on the cognitive, speech, language, and listening abilities of children with hearing impairments and characteristics of auditory-processing. Our team develops strong listening skills in each child and places major emphasis on the development of natural language. Our kids have so much to say, and we encourage them to share their thoughts, feelings, and desires.

"It was the most amazing and enriching program." -- mom of Felie, student 2004-2007

"The staff are the most loving, caring, and dedicated people I have ever met. I will always remember the love!" -- mother of Julie, student 2004-2007

History

The Auditory/Oral School of N.Y. was founded by a group of professionals in the fields of Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Audiology, and Speech Pathology, who are also parents of hearing impaired children. They have successfully mainstreamed their own children, and are committed to help other parents do the same. The accreditation application process began in 1996. We introduced the need for oral educational options to the NYC Board of Education and related agencies. Our doors officially opened in 1999.

As a direct result of the efforts of the school and direct presentations to the NYC Board of Education and Department of Health, these agencies have adopted a new outlook in the education and treatment of hearing impaired children. The necessity for auditory options for hearing impaired children has been added to their agenda in the service provision model for the education of deaf and hard of hearing children in New York. To this end, the NYC Department of Education has seen the unbelievable results of our school's graduates and has begun to provide transition auditory/oral classes for children who need some more time before being mainstreamed. We strongly collaborate with them and are assisting in their training along with the AGBELL Public School Caucus.

Our Staff

Our warm team of licensed, experienced professionals has worked extensively in the field of educating hearing-impaired children and many are parents of hearing-impaired children. They have successfully mainstreamed their own children and are dedicated to helping others accomplish the same goal with their children. Our staff currently consists of:

• Certified Classroom Teachers (Teacher of the Deaf/Hearing Impaired/Special Education)
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Audiologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Psychologist
• Board Certified Music Therapist
• Early Childhood Teachers
• Assistant Teachers
• Social Workers
• Service Coordinators

All administrative, educational and clinical staff encourage parent's input and reinforcement.

Educational Programs

Early Intervention Program: StriVright

The earlier a child is diagnosed with a hearing loss and receives services, the better the chances are that the child can be mainstreamed in a timely manner. Our multi-disciplinary team evaluates and delivers intensive, quality services to children ages birth through three years individually and in small groups. Once children are old enough to be enrolled in small early intervention groups, parents are encouraged but are not obligated to be present throughout each group session. Early Intervention groups are offered five days per week. We provide young children and their parents with the foundations for developing audition, speech and language.

"Yes, I recommend this school to other parents who have found that their child needs help, so helpful in every way. It's better to take an early step in the right direction." -- mother of Brianna, 2003-2007

Home-based Program

Infants and young children can receive individual services in their natural setting, such as their home-, day care- or community- based setting.  Evaluations and therapy can be provided in the privacy of a child's home.  Early Intervention Services include the following specialties:

• Special Instruction
• Speech therapy
• Auditory-Verbal therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Nutrition therapy
• Feeding therapy
• Vision therapy
• Music therapy
• Counseling

Parent / Infant Programs

Parents are an integral part of their child's development. At the onset of developmental intervention, the parents accompany their child for individual parent/child sessions. Parents are trained how to encourage listening, speech and language throughout their day at home and to become their child's primary facilitator of language.  Parent/Infant services are available to be provided both at the center and at home.

Auditory-Verbal Program

Parents can select an auditory-verbal program for their child.  Children are mainstreamed from the onset.  Individual auditory-verbal therapy is provided at our center or in the home, for the parent and child.  Parents are trained how to encourage listening, speech and language throughout their day at home and to become their child's primary facilitator of language.

Preschool Programs

Our full-day preschool program for children ages 3-5 provides intensive auditory/oral language training throughout the school day in individual and small group sessions. Our curriculum is experience-oriented and focuses on the cognitive, speech, language, listening and social abilities of children with hearing impairments so that they can understand information, analyze problems, and generate solutions in the broader hearing world and in their home environments. Students are not only taught to listen to their teachers, but to their peers as well.

"Julie would like to go to school every day if she could. The only one thing I would recommend for the future would be to open more and more schools just like Auditory Oral School of New York to help children all over the world." -- mother of Julie, student 2004-2007

Academic Programs

Our early intervention and preschool program equip children with the pre-academic skills necessary to be enrolled in mainstream elementary school settings. Strong emphasis is placed on reading and written language skills. Other subject areas such as math, science, and social studies, are incorporated into the language-based curriculum.

Mainstream Programs

Integration

We provide the stepping stone towards mainstreaming hearing-impaired children with their normal hearing peers. Our integrated early intervention and preschool classrooms consist of an equal ratio of hearing impaired and normal hearing children. The curriculum focuses on socialization skills within the model of a regular education preschool classroom.

Mainstream

OK, we've made it into the school of choice for your child! However, teachers in a mainstream setting need to be apprised of the needs of hearing-impaired children. Our mainstreaming team continues our work with the new school to ensure a smooth transition for our children. A transition plan is developed with the parents to help select an appropriate mainstream setting for each child. We continue to provide therapeutic and educational services to all our children who graduate our program as needed.

Extracurricular Programs

Music Therapy

Music Therapy is provided in small groups and on an individual basis. Our board certified music therapist works with our hearing impaired children to enhance auditory/oral communication through developing auditory perception, vocal flexibility and expressivity in both speech and song. Children and staff participate in singing, vocal exercises, rhythm, and movement. Singing focuses on the development of pitch, rhythm and timing, and has a positive correlation with the development of speech intelligibility. Auditory perception focuses on developments in detection, discrimination and recognition of musical sounds in various frequency, rhythm, tempo and melodic contour.

Field Trips

The entire curriculum is enhanced by hands-on experiences gained from field trips related to the unit being addressed (i.e. fire station, doctor's office, zoo, farm, botanical gardens, vegetable patch etc.)

Performing Arts

Children perform in plays and school-wide events for other classes and parents. Acting out stories they have read, role playing, singing and movement are all part of the experiences that help our children develop into creative and successful communicators.  Children also have opportunities to attend a variety of performances (i.e. Russian Circus, The Rainbow Fish in theatre, The Puppet Show, etc.)

Visual Arts

Our Visual Arts Program develops children's creative abilities while stimulating cognition, language, vocabulary, and imagination while providing sensory stimulation.  Art programs include a combination of direct demonstrations, exploration and open-ended projects appealing to various learning styles, encouraging children to explore new ideas and stretch their imagination (all the while learning more language concepts)!

"Pessy's experience was wonderful! She loved every day. I was constantly amazed at how much she learned and the creative ways she was being taught." -- mother of Pessy 2003-2005

Clinical Services

Audiological

Our audiological department provides complete diagnostic and rehabilitative services in the following areas:

• Newborn hearing screenings
• Complete diagnostic evaluations
• Infants, children, and adults
• Hearing aid evaluations
• Hearing aid and FM dispensing
• Earmolds and swim plugs Troubleshooting of cochlear implants and amplification
• Assistive Technology
• Central Auditory Processing Evaluations

Cochlear Implant

Pre-implant training is provided for children prior to receiving their cochlear implants. Cochlear implant habilitation is provided for children enrolled in our early intervention and preschool program. Our speech-language pathologists, audiologists and teachers of the hearing impaired work very closely with the various cochlear implant teams, to ensure our children are being monitored closely. We collaborate with the all regional cochlear implant teams to most accurately Map our children.

Cochlear implant habilitation is available for children attending mainstreamed settings requiring therapeutic services only, after school.

Speech and Language

Speech and language therapy is provided on a consistent basis to children enrolled in our school. Children who have graduated from our program as well as mainstreamed school- aged children come for individual speech-language sessions after school or on weekends. Our highly skilled speech-language pathologists specialize in working with children with many types of speech-language difficulties including:

• Auditory-verbal therapy
• Oral motor skills
• Feeding therapy
• Receptive and expressive language skills
• Voice disorders
• Fluency disorders
• Articulation/Phonological Processing Disorders
• Central Auditory Processing Disorders
• Fast ForWord and Earobics Providers

"We will always remember what a positive experience it was for Samuel and how much he benefitted in so many ways." -- parents of Samuel, student 2003-2005

"Abraham is a different child now! Thanks to the school, he talks, socializes, and really shows off his personality!" -- parents of Abraham, student 2005-2007

Counseling

A licensed psychologist and social worker are available to all parents and children on an as-need basis. Biweekly parent support groups are conducted during the day and Monthly parent support groups are provided in the evening. Individual play therapy is provided for children who require additional social/emotional support.

Assessment

An interdisciplinary team of specialists assesses the child's current level of performance in the following areas:

• Speech and Language Development
• Cognitive Development
• Auditory/Listening Development
• Gross Motor Development
• Fine Motor Development
• Social Emotional Development

Evaluations can be conducted in the child's home or in our center. Bilingual evaluations are available. Results of assessments are shared and explained to the parents. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is provided for children who have fine motor delays or sensory integration issues.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy is provided for children who exhibit gross motor delays or balance difficulties.

Additional Programs

Parent Support Groups

Our parent/child program provides counseling, education, and support for families of hearing-impaired children. We equip parents with the special ability and skills needed to accept and deal with the physical and emotional impact of hearing loss and to help their child develop listening skills and spoken language. Parents are given the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings with each other at the meetings. Parent support groups are provided on a weekly basis.

Parent Training Education

Parents are empowered to use therapy techniques in the home, are provided with information on their child's development and are encouraged to be involved in their child's therapy and program. We also provide support for parents as they cope with the normal range of emotions and demands accompanying their child's diagnosis and special needs.

Parent involvement is an integral component of our program, and parents must partner with the school to ensure their children's success.

Families have access to resources, a parent lending library, parent-teacher conferences, and a parent group that provides a forum for parents to meet each other. Weekly individual sessions and frequent parent meetings are held to educate and support our families as they address the variety of issues that arise from having a child with a disability.

Summer Sessions

Our summer session is an intensive program that runs for six weeks during the months of July and August. It builds on the foundations from the previous school year, adding new ideas and concepts for the children through fun summer activities. All therapies are provided during the summer as needed.  The daily schedule is similar to the regular school year; we have many exciting outings for children and parents to enjoy. Outings to the beach, picnics, school barbeques, parks and gardens are all family events we share. Families learn to make all summer activities into language/learning opportunities.

News and Information

Event Calendar for 2007-2008

Quotes

Here's what our parents say (these are the words of mothers and fathers, exactly as they were written to us upon graduation):

"It was the most amazing and enriching program."
-- mom of Felie, student 2004-2007

"The staff are the most loving, caring, and dedicated people I have ever met. I will always remember the love!"
-- mother of Julie, student 2004-2007

"Daphne didn't know any words nothing. And she learned every word. She liked the school from the first day."
-- mother of Daphne, student 2001-2005

"We will always remember what a positive experience it was for Samuel and how much he benefitted in so many ways."
-- parents of Samuel, student 2003-2005

"AOSNY is really a school that cares about each and every child and makes them shine like a true star."
-- mother of Miriam, student 2003-2005

"Yes, I recommend this school to other parents who have found that their child needs help, so helpful in every way. It's better to take an early step in the right direction."
-- mother of Brianna, 2003-2007

"Abraham is a different child now! Thanks to the school, he talks, socializes, and really shows off his personality!"
-- parents of Abraham, student 2005-2007

"Julie would like to go to school every day if she could. The only one thing I would recommend for the future would be to open more and more schools just like Auditory Oral School of New York to help children all over the world."
-- mother of Julie, student 2004-2007

"Pessy's experience was wonderful! She loved every day. I was constantly amazed at how much she learned and the creative ways she was being taught."
-- mother of Pessy, student 2003-2005

In the News

Our Students in the News

• A Difference You Can Hear (download the PDF version, 1.5M).
• Special School Changes Life Of One Mill Basin Youngster
• Empowering Deaf Twins with Language (download the PDF version, 800K).

Prisoners of Silence No More (Staff in the News)

Download a PDF version of this story (164K). Theresa Bulger story courtesy of Lifestyles Magazine.

The Rebirth of Sound

Our Teachers & Parents talk about Cochlear Implants: read "The Rebirth of Sound" at nyc24 and watch a Quicktime video of parents and teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children and why they chose the implant surgery. You can also watch these clips of the Auditory Oral School of New York in the news:

Telemundo broadcast Length 31 seconds Size: 1.2M (1 minute to download on high speed connection)	UPN News broadcast Length 1 minute, 10 seconds Size: 2.7M (2 minutes to download on high speed connection)

How do I watch these video clips?

These films are in Quicktime format. You must have a free Quicktime player installed on your computer to view these videos. Once you have installed Quicktime, click on the link above and a new window should open and the video will play

Alumni

On March 19, 2006, The Auditory Oral School Of New York held it's Annual Reunion. Alumni of the Auditory Oral School of NY along with current families gathered to celebrate our children's successes. It was a wonderful event with lots of activities for the children including face painting and a magic show. It was also a great networking opportunity for our new parents.

We have created an e-mail loop for parents and alumni to stay in touch. Alumni, please send us your e-mail addresses to info atsign auditoryoral.org (we don't link to this email address to avoid spam. Replace the word " atsign " with "@") so we can stay in closer touch!

Fundraising

The school is dependent on the generosity of friends, alumni, foundations, corporations, and individual donors. For more information on how you can help the children of The Auditory Oral School of NY please contact:

Theresa Bulger
Auditory/Oral Foundation
50 West 72 Street Suite C-5
New York, NY 10023

(212) 655-9377 Phone
Email: info@auditoryoral.org

For more information on how you can help the Auditory Oral School of NY Parent's Association please contact:

Sara Ovits
Outreach Coordinator
(718) 531-1800 X 209

The Parent Association has organized a number of fundraisers to help purchase additional equipment for the classrooms. Volunteers are always welcome.

AOSNY encourages potential donors to contact us to explore opportunities for supporting general operations, endowment and building funds. Currently the schools most pressing need is for a building or lot for future expansion. Opportunities exist for CRT's, bequests and in-kind donations. Please, contact us today!

Getting In

Admission Procedures

The Auditory/Oral School of NY admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

All children are evaluated prior to being enrolled at our school. These evaluations must indicate that the child has the potential to be an oral child.

Parents must be committed to being partners with the school in their child's auditory/oral education.

Tuition

Approved children receiving services through the Department of Health, ages 0-3, and through the NYC Board of Education, ages 3-5, are eligible to receive services at no cost to the parents. Parents of children, who are not approved through these funding sources or are above the age of 5, will be charged tuition on a sliding scale.

Financial Aid

A scholarship fund is maintained to support school tuition for those with specified needs who require financial assistance. If enrollment is dependent upon tuition reduction, applications may be requested for financial assistance and/or a tuition credit assignment for parents.

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For more information about oral deaf education, auditory devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants, advocacy for the deaf, financial aid, award-winning public school programs, therapists, and other organizations that help deaf children learn to listen and speak visit the: Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing