Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind support families with infants, toddlers

OGDEN — Babies typically bond with their mothers by making eye contact. They also build a strong emotional connection when hearing the positive sounds coming from Mom.

But what do you do when your baby cannot see the light in your eyes when you hold them or hear the excitement in your voice when you walk toward them?

You can get in touch with the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

"We know where the working resources are. We also provide parents with the connections to be with people who have experienced the same things or are going through it," said Karen Borg, director of the schools' Parent Infant Program for the Blind. "Whatever you're thinking is OK. Whatever you're feeling is OK."

For more than 100 years, Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind have served students who are deaf, blind, deaf-blind, vision-impaired and hearing-impaired from across the state. Students of every background are entitled to a public education, and students who are visually and hearing impaired are no exception. The schools can provide what they need.

Services also exist for families and children from infancy to 3 years old. Throughout the state, staff from the Utah Department of Health, audiologists, pediatricians, pediatric ophthalmologists and early intervention specialists refer infants and toddlers to the schools to get them services as soon as possible.

Seven hundred students are presently served by the Schools of the Deaf, and approximately 600 students are served in the Schools of the Blind across the state. These are children with families who may be unsure how to raise them, as well as parents who may feel shame, guilt, anxiety and insecurity over their child's impairment.

The same is true for parents in the Parent Infant Program, or PIP. The schools' staff members across the state visit the homes of infants and toddlers who have an impairment at least once a week — not only to spend time with the baby or 2-year-old but to speak and teach Mom and Dad, as well, about how to best serve their child.

"There are opportunities where (parents) can meet each other and network and build relationships because they do feel a little isolated," said Stephanie Morgan, director of the Parent Infant Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. "It's a very different situation for them. This is not something they were prepared for, and not everyone can relate."

The Parent Infant Program serves and provides programs for any family with a baby or toddler who is visually and hearing impaired. With three campuses across the state — in Ogden, Salt Lake City and Springville — staff rotate activities between the sites, such as the recent Christmas celebration held in St. George and Price.

The services and programs also educate parents on the differences they will notice in raising their children. For example, your baby may not be able to make eye contact with you, but they are still bonding, just in a different way, such as by staying still so they can hear your steps.

Staff members at the schools also remind parents and families that they have a beautiful child who can still be kind, caring, loving, have friends and thrive. They can have so much — there is no need to be afraid of your child's future.

"Working with parents, you can see the confidence grow," Morgan said. "They start to feel, 'Oh, I can do this. I can advocate for my child,' or 'I can explain this to other people.' Just seeing them have that confidence in themselves is really exciting."

If you believe your baby, toddler or child has hearing or vision problems, visit your pediatrician to let him or her know. If you would like to contact the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind regarding the schools, services and programs, call 801-629-4700 for Ogden, 801-464-2000 for Salt Lake City, or 801-431-5116 for Springville. You can also visit usdb.org.

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