Comprehensive Communication Philosophy We continue to believe that the best way to educate deaf and hard of hearing children is through Comprehensive Communication. This philosophy offers a child every available stimulus for human interaction, including sign language, lip-reading, assistive listening devices, visual aids, and technology. Every student is different and has his or her own way of learning and communicating. Through the philosophy of Comprehensive Communication, teachers and students are able to choose which method of communication works best for them. This approach to communicating promotes an accepting and positive classroom environment, allowing students to focus their attention on what is really important, learning. Speech therapy and auditory training are major parts of the comprehensive communication philosophy, as well as using sign language and speech simultaneously. Each student at St. Rita School for the Deaf receives therapy from the staff of certified speech therapists. In addition, unless a child has a cochlear implant, he or she is offered an auditory trainer through the sixth grade to take advantage of any residual hearing.

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