Supporting Every Step: DePaul School’s Clinical Services and ESY Program

At DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, we go beyond traditional classroom instruction to offer a comprehensive support system for children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or experiencing speech and language delays. Alongside our specialized academic programs, we provide clinical services and a robust Extended School Year (ESY) program. All of these initiatives are designed to ensure that our students receive consistent, individualized support tailored to their evolving needs.

Integrated Clinical Services: Educating the Whole Child

At DePaul School, we believe in educating and supporting the whole child. Our on-site clinical team collaborates closely with educators and families to provide a holistic support system:​

• Occupational Therapist (OT) and Physical Therapist (PT):
  These specialists work directly with students both one-to-one and within the classroom setting. Whether they’re helping a child improve fine motor skills, develop core strength, or participate more fully in group activities, our OT and PT staff are an essential part of every child’s learning journey. Their push-in and pull-out services allow for seamless support throughout the day.
• Educational Audiologist:
  DePaul’s in-house educational audiologist is a vital resource for students and families. From troubleshooting hearing aids and cochlear implants to helping parents navigate device upgrades and replacements, our audiologist ensures every student’s hearing technology is optimized for classroom success. This hands-on support saves families time, reduces stress, and keeps students engaged in learning.

• Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs): Every student at DePaul receives extensive individual speech therapy as part of their educational program. Our SLPs focus on various skills, including speech sound production, auditory discrimination, language comprehension, natural voice patterns, and social communication. They work closely with audiologists, certified Teachers of the Deaf, and parents to customize each child’s educational program.

Extended School Year (ESY): Continued Growth Over Summer

Learning shouldn’t stop just because school’s out! Studies show that up to two months of academic progress can be lost over the summer, particularly in reading and math. This loss is more pronounced in students with learning challenges or those who require additional support—such as children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

That’s why DePaul offers an Extended School Year (ESY) program every July. Held Monday through Thursday, these half-day summer sessions are specifically designed for students who need continued support to prevent skill regression and maintain progress over the long break.

Students approved for ESY by their home school district will:

• receive ongoing speech therapy services,
• work with certified Teachers of the Deaf, and
• engage in fun, hands-on lessons reinforcing speech, listening, and language goals.

ESY ensures students continue to build confidence and maintain their skills, creating a smooth transition into the next academic year.

Why It Matters

Whether it’s classroom collaboration with our therapists or keeping students on track during the summer, DePaul’s clinical and ESY services reflect our mission to support every child—academically, socially, and emotionally. With these services in place, families can feel confident knowing their child is receiving the expert, individualized care they deserve.

The Extended School Year (ESY) program at DePaul is designed to prevent learning loss and provide meaningful, continued support during the summer months. It offers students consistent structure, ongoing therapy, and individualized instruction—all of which contribute to a smoother transition into the new school year.

Key benefits include:

• Maintains continuity in skill-building, especially for children with speech, language, or hearing needs, who benefit from ongoing therapy and instruction.
• Reinforces routines and engagement, which can help ease the transition back into school.
• Addresses individualized goals in a focused setting, often with smaller groups and tailored instruction.

In short, summer programs like DePaul’s ESY are critical for ensuring students retain and build upon the progress they’ve made during the school year, giving them a stronger foundation when they return in the fall.

Want to Learn More?

If you believe your child could benefit from these services, or you have questions about eligibility for ESY, we’re here to help. Contact us at 412-924-1012 or visit our Contact Us page and complete our online form.

At DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, we’re dedicated to supporting every step of your child’s journey.