Student Support Team

The Diagnostic and Evaluation Team (D&E Team) consist of a school Psychologist and an Educational Diagnostician. The D&E Team may include other professionals (e.g., ASL Specialist, Speech Language Pathologist, etc.) when needed. We provide psycho-educational, academic, language/communication, social/emotional/behavioral related evaluations for AASD Students. The School Psychologist works with the IEP team in determining additional eligibility when appropriate. We are also responsible for reviewing and sharing information when the student's eligibility redetermination is due. We also provide psycho-educational testing related services to local school systems that may not have services personnel who are qualified and knowledgeable with deaf and hard of hearing children. 

 

My name is Lori Ann Schmidt, and I am the School Psychologist at AASD. I received my BA in Psychology from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. After graduation, I continued with graduate school in school psychology. I have a MA in Developmental Psychology and Psy. S in School Psychology from Gallaudet University as well. I have been in this field for many years and AASD is my fourth school system to work at. I started at AASD in 2009 and I have absolutely enjoyed working with teachers/staff and students. I am Deaf and I strive to be a role model for our deaf and hard of hearing students by showing them it is possible to achieve your dreams!

Email:
lschmidt@doe.k12.ga.us

 

Hi, my name is Maria Hernandez. I am the Hispanic Family Liaison here at AASD.  

I am here to make sure our Spanish speaking families stay engaged and connected to our school.  I can assist with interpreting between staff and Spanish speaking families and translations to make sure that families have access to all our printed materials. I also work to plan events that engage our Spanish speaking families. 

If you are a parent/ tutor and have questions OR if you are a teacher and need Spanish interpreting or translating, please contact me.

 

mhoffiz@doe.k12.ga.us
404-326-5096  

Social-Emotional Well Being Resources for Families

As discussed above, issues or concerns with social-emotional well-being during this COVID-19 situation adds additional challenges for everyone. Keeping your child safe and well along with your entire family is among our top priorities. Here are some resources to help you if your child or another family member seems to be struggling with their social emotional well-being.

Stress & Coping

https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping

Warning Signs of Depression

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/parents-guide-to-teen-depression.htm

Self-Injurious Behaviors and Suicidal Thoughts

Crisis Text Line (CTL) offers live text support 24 hours 7 days a week to those who reach out. Just text HELP to 741741 and in minutes you will be connected to a compassionate, trainer, crisis counselor. If your child types DEAF to 741741, they will attempt to connect them with a Deaf crisis counselor. This amazing organization can provide a person to assist with moving a person from crisis to calm and sometimes, just the connection or knowing that they exist, helps people feel less alone. Make sure anyone you love who struggles with depression, feelings of despair, and/or self-injurious behaviors, knows how to reach out to Crisis Text Line.

Crisis Support

For immediate access to routine or crisis services, please call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225. GCAL is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year to help you or someone you care for in a crisis. Please notify this team that your child has hearing loss and require American Sign Language interpreter.

Mental Health Counseling Services for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Avita Community Partners
To request therapy services for your child, please complete the referral form here: https://avitapartners.formstack.com/forms/avitadeafservices

Contact Information:
Avita Community Partners Fax: 678-513-5788
Email:avitadeafservices@avitapartners.org

Insurance Accepted:
Clients will use their insurance.
Costs not covered by insurance will be covered by state grant.
If no insurance, clients will be covered under state grant.
If you are emailing for an urgent or crisis intake/appointment, please contact your local community service board, mental health agency. Inform the office manager that you will need a sign language interpreter for your appointment. A request for an interpreter can be made at deafservices@dbhdd.ga.gov.

G.R.E.A.T D.A.Y. (Georgia Resources, Education, Advocacy and Treatment for Deaf Adults and Youth)
GREAT DAY has served as an outpatient mental health service provider to deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind adults, youth and their families since 2001. G.R.E.A.T. D.A.Y. provides - via telephone, video/tty/internet relay, or text - Mental Health Screening, Triage and Referral services to assess an individual's need and to connect the individual to preferred mental health service providers available in the individual's area for accessible treatment.

Insurance Accepted:
Most private insurance
Medicaid (inquire if still accepts Medicaid at this time)
Employee Assistance Programs

Contact Information:
Address: 5301 Snapfinger Park Drive, Decatur GA 30035
Phone: 470-299-9190 (Videophone)
            404-377-9224
Email: info@greatdayinc.net
Website: http://greatdayinc.net/

AVITA Community Partners
Providing private counseling with ASL fluent counselors
800-525-8751
http://www.avitapartners.org/

National Deaf Counseling on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nationaldeaftherapy/

Deaf Counseling Center on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/deafcounseling/

Behavior Related Support for Parents/Caregivers

We know that behaviors at home can be challenging. If you have a child who struggles with behavior typically, and is having an even harder time now, and you have flexibility to participate in an online training session, you might want to take a look at the info below through Georgia State University’s Center for Leadership in Disability. They provide high quality information and training that many of our staff participate in regularly.

Positive Behavior Support Parent Academy – FOR PARENTS

Description: Through these five sessions, parents learn how to apply the positive behavior support process to their individual child’s/family’s needs. Group sessions are held on the days below. Individualized coaching sessions are held between the group sessions at times that are convenient to the parent.

Dates (Parents should try to attend all five dates)

i. Online, April 16: 10 am-12 pm
ii. Online, April 21: 10 am-12 pm
iii. Online, April 23: 10 am-12 pm
iv. Online, April 28: 10 am-12 pm
v. Online, April 30: 10 am-12 pm

Parents can register for the free, online Positive Behavior Support Parent Academy here: https://gsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0DPSoeUr4S9UYi9

Additional Community Resources During These Difficult Times

The United Way
https://www.unitedwayatlanta.org/coronavirus/

Access the website above to find community resources/assistance for food services, housing, health & medical, prescriptions, childcare services, employment services, benefits, utility services, small business assistance, emergency relief, transportation, legal services, fraud reporting, IRS, assistance for families without a home.

Childcare Support
To locate childcare that is currently open call 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS (1-877-255-4254) or go online to https://www.qualitycareforchildren.org/

Filing for Unemployment

Information about Unemployment Benefits: https://dol.georgia.gov/unemployment-benefits

To file a claim (turn off your pop-up blockers): https://www.dol.state.ga.us/fileaclaim/

Applying for Food Stamp and Medicaid Benefits

DFCS encourages families to access self-service options online during this period. Self-service options include:

• Apply for Food Stamp and Medicaid Benefits: gateway.ga.gov (verification documents can be uploaded and case status info is available for all benefits)
• Download an Application: https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services
• Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Visit: https://www.connectebt.com/gaebtclient or call: 888-421-3281 for updates
• Those without internet access can contact the DFCS Customer Contact Center at 877-423-4746 for additional information or to request a paper application. Applications and any required verification can be mailed back to your local county DFCS office. County office locations are available online at https://dfcs.georgia.gov/locations.

The Sign Language Interpreting Services Department at the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf is dedicated to providing communication access.  AASD is also committed to providing quality services. Therefore, all Sign Language Interpreters are nationally certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

Our interpreters adhere to the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC). Our professional interpreters: 

• Adhere to standards of confidential communication 
• Possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation 
• Conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation 
• Demonstrate respect for consumers 

• Demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession 
• Maintain ethical business practices 
• Engage in professional development 

Meet our Interpreters 

Meghan Cowin has been working as a staff interpreter at the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf since 2017.  She graduated from the Georgia Perimeter College Sign Language Interpreting Program in 2004.  She then went on to California State University, Northridge and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Deaf Studies, with a concentration in Interpreting in 2006.  After graduating from CSUN, she moved back to Georgia and began working as an interpreter.  Meghan earned a Certificate of Interpretation and a Certificate of Transliteration from RID in 2008.  She also earned a Master of Arts in Teaching in 2009.    

 

H Hamid joined the staff interpreting team at AASD in the Fall of 2024. They have been a practicing professional since 2010 after graduating with their Associate of Applied Science in Sign Language Interpreting and earned National Interpreter Certification (NIC) in 2012. They have also earned degrees in Spanish (BA, 2014) and public administration (MPA, 2016). H has interpreted in a variety of settings including in public school classrooms, on college campuses, and abroad. They enjoy interpreting in learning environments most – particularly courses and community convenings.

 

Requesting Interpreting Services

Our interpreters provide interpreting services for our Deaf faculty and staff.  If you are a parent of a student at AASD or a visitor requesting a Sign Language Interpreter, please contact the Deaf faculty/staff and have them request an interpreter for your meeting.  If you still need to get ahold of someone in the interpreting department, please call 404-300-5919 (Voice), 404-348-8416 (VP), or email MCowin@doe.k12.ga.us.  

 

How to Use a Sign Language Interpreter

Interpreters relay information from one distinct language to another distinct language, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker, using language most readily understood by the person(s) they serve. 

  

Communication Link: Think of an interpreter as a telephone. The telephone only facilitates communication, it is not able to give opinions, feedback, or instructions. The interpreter - like the telephone - will facilitate everything he/she hears, even if it is personal, confidential or unrelated to the topic at hand. Any information you discuss in the presence of an interpreter and a deaf individual will be interpreted. 

  

Do I need to slow down? Slowing one's natural speech patterns is not usually necessary for interpreters; if the interpreter misses something or feels the teacher is going too fast, the interpreter will ask you to repeat the information. 

  

Who do you look at / speak to? When using an interpreter, always maintain eye contact with the deaf individual and speak to them directly. This is why we encourage hearing consumers and interpreters to stand next to each other. This encourages the hearing consumer to look at the deaf individual instead of the interpreter. It also lets the deaf individual know the information is coming from the you and not the interpreter.

At AASD, our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are an integral part of the bilingual model.  They provide services in American Sign Language (ASL) and English in order to support communication development in students.  They work with individuals and small groups in the therapy room and in the classroom, addressing Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals developed to meet each student’s unique needs.  SLPs collaborate with teachers, families and county representatives.

Speech-language services include:  

• Language support in English and ASL, including vocabulary and grammar 
• Articulation and spoken English support 
• Phonemic awareness 
• Auditory development 
• Speech-reading 
• Social language 
• Assistive Technology and AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) 

 

Kimberly Sherman             
kedgecombe@doe.k12.ga.us
404-300-5900 (Voice)

 

Wendy Wolf
wwolf@doe.k12.ga.us
404-300-5918 (Voice)

 

Caitlin Hutelin
caitlin.hutelin@doe.k12.ga.us
678-806-8678 (Voice)