REACHING THE DEAF-CHILD - A MODEL FOR DIVERSIFIED INTERVENTION

This paper elucidates the theoretical basis and offers a description of a mental health program for the hearing impaired developed at The Rhode Island School for the Deaf. The program utilizes a group therapy format in establishing a therapeutic deaf community wherein deaf children and adolescents are afforded opportunities for psychosocial growth and development. Recommendations are made that are intended to be helpful to social workers/therapists from in or outside the field of deafness, who are faced with the challenge of providing effective treatment to hearing-impaired clients.