PROGRAM OVERVIEW Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf is a year-round Approved Private School that serves students who are Deaf or hard of hearing who are also identified as either Emotionally Disturbed or on the Autism Spectrum. Some students who met these criteria are additionally identified as having intellectual disabilities or multiple disabilities. All of the students have some behaviors that impede their success in a less restrictive setting. We serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Students who maintain special education eligibility can continue services until age 21.
Our local students live at home with their parents and attend our educational program. For students who live too far to commute on a daily basis we have a residential program. We have Home Community Liaisons that maintain regular communication and work closely with our students’ families. This includes home visits at least four times per year. Our goal is to prepare our students to return to their homes and schools. We collaborate with the Local Education Association, or home school district, for each of our students. We also work closely with other agencies and service providers including mental health providers, Children and Youth Services, the Office of Intellectual Disabilities, and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to best prepare our students for transition to a less restrictive educational setting, as well as to adult services. We provide an individualized, strength-based approach to academic and behavioral growth. Instructional interventions and behavioral supports are developmental in nature and rooted in brain science. SERVICES Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf uses a developmental, trauma-informed approach to behavioral supports and emphasizes access to language and communication. Our services help students expand their language and communication skills, increase their academic achievement, reduce disruptive behaviors, learn and use replacement behaviors, develop coping skills, maintain positive relationships, and return to their public schools and home communities successfully. Students come to PRSD with a wide range of communication skills, including those who have not yet developed communication. Many of our students are on the Autism Spectrum.
Services provided include:
Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Emotional Support and/or Autism Support Special Education educational placement
Teachers are certified in Deaf Education or Special Education
Education and residential staff members have training and experience working with Deaf children and young adults with social and emotional issues
Psychiatric services including medication management
Curriculum & Transition Coordinator, Community Manager, and Community Support Specialists who plan and implement a wide range of experiences and activities including volunteering, work experiences, and community based instruction
Home Community Liaisons who work closely with families, school districts, and service providers to facilitate regular, successful home visits and the eventual return of residential students to their home and less restrictive educational environments
Speech Language therapist who is fluent in ASL and has experience with Deaf and hard of hearing students
Academic and psychological testing
Communication Assessments
Re-evaluation reports
PAES Lab (Practical Assessment Exploration System
WHO DO WE SERVE?
Students from Kindergarten to the age of 21
Students who are Deaf or hard of hearing
Students with emotional and behavioral problems in school or at home, including behaviors related to Autism Spectrum Disorder
Students with intellectual disabilities
Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf 40 Vancouver Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15205 Main Number: (412) 458-1696 Fax: (412) 875-5976 Videophone: (412) 407-5033
Parental Resources: Hands & Voices is a non-profit, parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They are non-biased about communication methodologies and believe that families can make the best choices for their child if they have access to good information and support. National Hands & Voices PA Chapter of Hands & Voices
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center: Family Resources The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University provides information, training, and technical assistance for parents and professionals to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing children.
Office of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing ODHH is an office within the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry that advocates for people with hearing loss who are not receiving proper services from government or private agencies, distribute information and answer questions on issues relevant to people with hearing loss, and refers people to appropriate organizations.
PEAL Center The PEAL Center is an organization of parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs who educate and guide:
Families of children and youth, ages birth to 26, who have disabilities and/or special health care needs
Professionals and others who work with children and youth who have disabilities and/or special health care needs
Youth and young adults up to age 26 who have disabilities and/or special health care needs
Achieva ACHIEVA is a nonprofit parent organization that has comprehensive services and supports and serves thousands of individuals with disabilities and their families each year.
LEAD K LEAD-K is a national campaign to promote language acquisition and kindergarten-readiness for Deaf and hard of hearing toddlers and youth aged 0-5. The campaign intends to propel state-level legislative, litigation, and social media efforts. The steering committee consists of representatives of schools, community agencies, parent organizations, associations of the Deaf, and allies such as legal advocates.
American Society for Deaf Children ASDC is a national, independent non-profit organization whose purpose is providing support, encouragement, and information to families raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
HealthBridges Healthbridges is a website based in Pittsburgh, Pa which is managed by a coalition of people who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing and hearing. A team of volunteer consultants, including providers, consumers, advocates and payors, write and organize material for the website. The purpose of the website is to provide information segments and resources to people who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing and to providers who serve this population. Information on the website is made available in American Sign Language, oral English and English.