FAQ's about Distance Education for Parents
Who can enroll in JTC Distance Learning for Parents?
Why should families enroll in a Course?
What is the content of the courses?
Is there a special course for children with a cochlear implant or hearing aids?
Can the courses be used for children with multiple needs?
Why must parents complete an enrollment form?
What is the process for taking a course?
How are reports and other documents submitted?
Can information be obtained without enrolling?
Who can enroll in JTC Distance Learning for Parents?
Parents, guardians and foster parents of children with hearing loss age five and under can enroll from anywhere in the world. Families can choose to use the courses in either English or Spanish. Parents without internet access can choose to take the Courses through the mail.
How much does a Course cost?
The Courses, like all John Tracy Clinic services, is FREE OF CHARGE to parents. A bound volume of the Course is available in 2009 for a fee. By enrolling in a course families obtain all materials at no cost and receive personalized guidance.
Why should families enroll in a Course?
Parents enrolled in a Course obtain much valuable information about the developmental skills and communication abilities of young children with hearing loss. Through personal correspondence families received specific suggestions and responses to their questions.
How many courses are there?
Two Courses are available for families of young children with hearing loss. The Baby Course is for parents of infants from birth to two years of age. The Preschool Course is for parents of children from two to five years of age.
What is the content of the courses?
The Courses provide educational experiences designed to help families learn about hearing loss and language. Parent lessons discuss communication and child development. Activities are included to guide children in developing listening and language skills. Report forms help parents to document progress and describe concerns. Enrollment in the Courses also automatically provides access to an online Learning Library containing JTC publications on parent priorities.
Can the courses be used for children with multiple needs?
Courses are designed to be developmentally accurate and encourage age appropriate language skills. Accommodations can be made for a child’s abilities, interests and experiences. Families can discuss with the Parent Advice Learning Support (PALS) team how to meet their child’s needs and when to adapt activities.
Is there a special course for children with a cochlear implant or hearing aids?
No. Parents can begin immediately using a Course to help children learn communication skills. All children (hearing and deaf) develop listening and spoken language skills in the same manner. The Courses provide developmentally appropriate information no matter what devices a child uses.
Why must parents complete an enrollment form?
The enrollment form contains important questions about hearing, amplification, services and development. This information is needed for the personal letters to provide specific guidance but family confidentiality is respected. John Tracy Clinic has a privacy policy which protects family information.
What is the process for taking a course?
When an enrollment form is submitted to JTC, parents are given an enrollment number and a password to access lessons. If the family chooses to do the course through the mail, material is sent to them. Each Lesson is designed to be used for a month but it will depend on child and family circumstances. When a Report Form is submitted after a lesson, the next lesson is immediately available online or mailed to the family. Personal letters are sent responding to the reports to answer questions and provide suggestions.
How are reports and other documents submitted?
Parent reports can be sent online. Other options include mail, email, fax or phone. It is through this exchange of information and personal correspondence that the best guidance possible can be offered to families.
Who are PALS?
Parent Advice Learning Support (PALS) is a team of parent educators and hearing loss specialists who work together to provide a warm, wonderful distance learning experience for families. Questions about the Distance Learning Courses not addressed in this Answers section can be sent to pals@jtc.org
Can information be obtained without enrolling?
Supplemental materials can be found in JTC’s Chatter Box section, as well as descriptions of on-site services, Baby Sound Check, video stories, Common Concerns about hearing loss, links to resources, and more!