Children with hearing differences and their families often experience stressors beyond speech and language that can affect the whole child. This can include challenges related to behavior, social-emotional functioning, academic performance, and exploration/integration of Deaf identity. At the Center for Childhood Communication, we believe that an important ingredient for your child’s healthy development is to support your entire family as well as all aspects of your child’s growth. These interdisciplinary services have been offered at CHOP since 2000.  

Our team works closely with your child’s audiologist, speech and language pathologist, ENT and other medical professionals to provide true multidisciplinary, integrated care. Psychosocial services can include consultation and therapy, comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, and care coordination for accessing community resources.  

Our services

The CCC Integrated Psychosocial Program (IPP) services include: 

• Support for family members as they adjust to a new diagnosis of hearing differences
• Child and family therapy for social, emotional or behavioral concerns related to hearing differences (e.g., limited hearing aid usage, adjustment to changes in hearing, exploring and integrating deaf or hard of hearing/DHH identity)
• Assessment of co-existing mental health conditions (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety)
• Psychosocial supports for families and children undergoing cochlear implantation, ear reconstruction, or other ENT surgeries
• Comprehensive neuropsychological testing using American Sign Language and/or Spoken English, which measures a child’s intellectual abilities, attention, learning, memory, visual-spatial skills, visual-motor integration, language, motor coordination and executive functioning
  • These evaluations clarify neurodevelopmental/psychiatric diagnoses and include a report with recommendations to guide therapy and educational services
• Referrals to other behavioral health and developmental services as needed following the initial appointment
• Assistance with transportation to appointments, housing insecurity, food insecurity, lodging while in Philadelphia (e.g., Ronald McDonald House), connecting with CHOP Family Health Coverage and applying for medical assistance, connecting with behavior support services, accessing and following through with educational services, and navigating appointments at CHOP 

Community information and resources 

The CCC IPP Team can also provide: 

• Information on strategies to help your child develop their emotional, behavioral and social competence skills
• Information on community services and resources for Deaf and hard of hearing children and adolescents
• Accommodations that allow your child to participate in the same home, school and community activities as other children their age
• Access to state and local community services, support and resources
• Access to professional, parent and legal advocates in your state 

Are these CCC Integrated Psychosocial Program services covered by health insurance? 

• Most health insurance plans cover these services
• No referrals are required for CCC Integrated Psychosocial Program visits
• Pre-authorization may be required and will be obtained by CHOP staff prior to visits 

How do I get CCC Integrated Psychosocial Program services for my child? 

Ask your child’s managing audiologist to refer your child or contact us at 1-800-551-5480. Appointments are available for both in-person visits at the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care and virtual visits.