Articles
The following articles were written by members of the Texas Deafblind Project or individuals and family members of individuals who are deafblind. You may download any of these articles and make copies. If you use any of the article contents in original writing, please be sure to site them as content developed by Texas Deafblind Outreach, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Austin, TX.
Note: Many of these articles were written a number of years ago and first published in various newsletters published by Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Outreach Programs such as P.S. News, SeeHear, and Texas SenseAbilities by TSBVI Outreach Programs. Even though they are older, the content is still relevant. Some of the language used may be different than the language currently being used in Special Education; over time we hope to revise the language to match todays standards. In the meantime, we hope that the content will be helpful.
Currently only the PDF versions of these files are available for download.
Some of these articles have been translated into Spanish and some have not. Please be patient as we add the Spanish versions of these articles to our website.
Active Learning
The Active Learning Approach: Using the Resonance Board and the Little Room with Young Blind and Multiply Disabled Children
Active Learning and the Exploration of Real Objects
Developing my Classroom for Secondary-Aged Students Who Aren’t Actively Engaging with People or Objects
Five Phases of Educational Treatment Used in Active Learning
Incorporating Active Learning Theory into Activity Routines
An Introduction to Dr. Lilli Nielsen’s Active Learning
Job One for Educators: Becoming a Good Playmate
Taking a Look at the FIELA Curriculum: 730 Learning Environments by Dr. Lilli Nielsen
Assessment
Tools to Address Assessment and Instruction for Students with the Most Significant Challenges
This document is a compilation of a variety of articles, handouts, and forms that have been collected and used by staff with TSBVI Outreach Programs for a number of years and which are frequently requested. Recently this information was compiled, reformatted, and updated to include information that was only available previously in a paper format.
Formal Versus Informal Hearing Tests: What Is Functional Hearing
By Jim Durkel
Discussion of ways to test hearing and how to determine an individual’s functional hearing.
Auditory Topics
Are You Listening? Auditory Issues for Children with Visual Impairments
By Kate Moss Hurst
This article is based on presentations and handouts by Jim Durkel, former audiologist and long-time colleague from Texas Deafblind Outreach. It provides basic information about how hearing works and strategies for developing listening skills so important to all children who have visual impairments including deafblindness.
Language Rich Environments for Children who are Deaf or Deafblind
By Kaycee Bennett
This article discusses the importance of providing language rich environments that are accessible to children who are Deaf or deafblind.
Minimal Losses…Major Implications
By Jenny Lace
A minimal hearing loss in combination with a mild hearing loss can have major impact on a student’s ability to learn and function readily in the school and community. This article points out that we need to fully assess a student’s functioning in multiple settings with various auditory and visual conditions to determine their educational needs and supports.
The Importance of Auditory Training for Children Who Are Deafblind
La Importancia de la Capacitación Auditiva para Niños Sordociegos
By Jim Durkel
This article discusses the importance of including auditory training in curriculum for students who are deafblind. It also offers some suggestions for activities and resources related to providing auditory training.
Behavioral Challenges
Looking at Self-Stimulation in Pursuit of Leisure “I’m Okay You Have Mannerism
Observar la autoestimulación en la búsqueda del ocio o “Yo estoy bien, ¡tú tienes manías!”
By Kate Hurst and Robbie Blaha, TSBVI Outreach Programs
During the long period of quarantine during COVID-19, many families have reported an increase in self-stimulatory behaviors in their children with sensory impairments, including those who are visually impaired and have additional disabilities or are deafblind. This article was first published in the Spring 1993 issue of P.S. NEWS!!! (Volume V. No. 3) by the TSBVI Outreach Programs. Kate Moss Hurst and co-author Robbie Blaha explore the root causes of activities and behaviors that may be considered to be socially inappropriate and encourage readers to revise their thinking about and reactions to self-stimulatory behaviors. Changing perceptions about these behaviors can help parents and professionals respond more effectively and help guide them in addressing students’ sensory needs.
Biobehavioral States
Assessment of Biobehavioral States and Analysis of Related Influences
by Millie Smith and Stacy Shafer, Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Outreach
This article was originally published in 1997 in See Hear Newsletter and updated in 2022. It grew out of work done by Robbie Blaha and Stacy Shafer based on Every Move Counts by Jane Korsten and Dixie Dunn.
Tools to Address Assessment and Instruction for Students with the Most Significant Challenges
This document compiled in 2022, includes the article, Thoughts on the Assessment of the Student with the Most Profound Disabilities, Assessment of Individuals who are Deafblind and Have Multiple Disabilities, Appetite / Aversion Form, Assessment of Biobehavioral States and Analysis of Related Influences, including a sample of a completed and blank form.
Thoughts On Assessment of Students With the Most Profound Disabilities
By Robbie Blaha and Stacy Shafer
This article presents basic user friendly assessment questions and background information which relates to this particular population, and acknowledges the individuality of each of these children by building a personal picture of how they learn. It provides useful information with which to develop programming. This is not intended to be a comprehensive assessment process, but rather some questions and background information to consider when planning for this particular population.
Calendars
Let Me Check My Calendar
By Robbie Blaha, and Kate Moss
This articles provides a basic overview of the calendars utilized by student who are deafblind.
Communication and Language
Conversations Without Language
By Linda Hagood
An article written about conversational interactions with children who are deafblind and have yet to develop formal communication.
Language Rich Environments for Children who are Deaf or Deafblind
By Kaycee Bennett, Deafblind Consultant
This article discuss the impact of hearing loss on language development and the importance of early intervention to address this impact.
Understanding Concept Development and Related Challenges for Academic Students who are Deafblind
By Matt Schultz
This article is a research-based examination of ways to understand the development of concepts by students with deafblindness. It also provides practical suggestions on how to teach and reinforce those concepts for academic students with deafblindness.
Daily Living Skills
Toilet Training Children with Deafblindness: Issues and Strategies
By Craig Axelrod
Article discussing issues and strategies to help parents and caregivers with children who are deafblind when trying to toilet train.
Deafblind Eligibility
Let’s Talk Eligibility- FAQs and Their Answers
Hablemos de elegibilidad para sordociegos
Overview and discussion of eligibility criteria for coding a child as deafblind in special education.
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
IEP Checklist Proficient Communicators Who Are Deafblind
Important considerations when developing an IEP for a student who is deafblind and a proficient communicator.
IEP Quality Indicators for Students Who Are Deafblind
A document to help IEP teams develop an IEP that fully addresses the needs of a student who is deafblind and develop a quality program of instruction.
Issues In Deafblindess When the IEP Is Aligned With General Curriculum
By Robbie Blaha
Students with deafblindness who participate in the general education curriculum face some unique challenges. This article discusses these issues and proposes some strategies for addressing these concerns.
Minimal Losses…Major Implications
By Jenny Lace, Deafblind Consultant
This article discusses a group of students who are often not recognized as being eligible to be included on the National Deafblind Child Count. It is so important to address the impact of losses that may not qualify the child as visually impaired or deaf, but when present in combination does have great impact on learning. These students should be included and addressed as a student who is deafblind.
Role of the Teacher of Deafblind (TDB) in the FIE Process
The Commissioner’s/SBOE Rule §89.1040 addresses eligibility criteria for deafblind. At the local level, applying these criteria can be an unfamiliar and confusing process for staff and families. As a result, some students may not be identified. This puts them at risk for receiving inappropriate services and making limited progress. In addition, there are important guidelines for ranking disabilities that should be considered as part of the FIE process. Also, failing to properly identify a child who is deafblind may mean that families fail to receive important information regarding services from state agencies and as well as other state and community resources.
Teaching Strategies and Content Modifications for Students who are Deafblind
By Kate Moss Hurst and Linda Hagood
This article contrasts the modifications typically made in instruction with children who are deaf and hard of hearing or visually impaired and those who are deafblind.
Early Childhood
Early Concept Development
by Chris Strickling, OTR, Private Consultant
Individual and Family Perspective
2017 TSBVI Commencement Speech: Living Life Expansively as a Blind Person in America
By George Stern
The author, who is deafblind, shares from his personal experience how it is the best of times and the worst of times to be a blind person living in America. He shares guiding principles for living a life that is not constricted by other people’s expectations and how to be a change agent.
By Becky Harmon
Becky Harmon shares her experiences of building a good life for her daughter who is a young adult.
A Mom On the Road to COMS
By Heather Withrow
In this article, a parent describes her life journey, her experience being the mother of a child who is Deafblind, and her studies in the field of education and orientation and mobility.
Coming Home to Disability: One Sibling’s Story
By Elizabeth Lewis
Elizabeth shares her experience as a sibling growing up with her sister, Katie, who has CHARGE. Through the lens of anthropology, the author shares her journey toward embracing being part of the disability community as both sibling and professional.
DeafBlind Camp of Texas Has a Successful Second Year
By Kim Huston
The author shares about the 2017 DeafBlind Camp of Texas (DBCTX), a barrier free camp for DeafBlind adults, as well as plans for DBCTX Jr to be held in 2018.
Dear Parents of a Child Who Is Deaf and Blind
By Amita Srivanasan
The author shares her personal story in order to explore the impact of labels for DeafBlind individuals.
Discovering How to Connect With My Granddaughter
By LeAnn Pressler
This article discusses connection and communication between a grandparent and her grandchild with CHARGE syndrome. The author discusses the benefit of attending conferences and how implementing the “Triple C Concept” has improved her communication and relationship with her granddaughter.
Fast Friends
By Molly Roberts
Futures Planning Led Us to Touch Base Center for DeafBlind
By Vivecca Hartman
The author shares her family’s experience in establishing a non-profit organization to
provide adult services specifically geared for people with deafblindness.
I Want You to Know: Reflections on Publishing a Book
By Amita Srinivansa
Amita Srinivasan’s book, I Want You to Know, was published in May 2015. Amita, who is 16 years old and has CHARGE Syndrome, wrote the book with the aim of giving voice to what she teachers and parents should know and understand about a child with special needs.
My Success Story
Garland Goodwin
Garland, a student with CHARGE Syndrome, describes his public school experiences and the supports that allowed him to participate completely and successfully.
Texas Chargers: Our Family’s Journey Finding a Community of Support
By Jill Bradshaw
The author shares her family’s experience finding resources and connections through the Texas Chargers family organization.
Touch That Cake!
By Heather Withrow
The author shares how she partnered with a cake artist to make her son’s birthday cake a meaningful and accessible experience.
What Is ProTactile and What Are Its Benefits?
By Sarah Morrison & Rhonda Voight-Campbell
ProTactile is a socio-cultural philosophy with its own sets of philosophy, attitude, culture, and language. This emerging concept has become a way of life for the DeafBlind community. ProTactile plays an significant role in DeafBlind world. Members explore the world through touch, and most importantly communicate through touch. ProTactile is a language that the DeafBlind community embraces and benefits from as a way of life.
Interaction
Conversations Without Language
By Linda Hagood
An article written about conversational interactions with children who are deafblind and have yet to develop formal communication.
Learning to Trust, the Key to Quality Intervention
By Gigi Newton
A short article on the importance of creating a trusting bond with a baby who is deafblind when going into the home to provide intervention.
Supporting High Quality Interactions with Student Who Are Deafblind
By Craig Axelrod
Educators can have more positive, responsive and reciprocal interactions with their students who are deafblind by learning how to modify their own interactive behaviors and adapt the interactive context. High quality interactions contribute to improved educational outcomes for students with deafblindness. This article explores this issue and describes how it the process was used with students who are deafblind at TSBVI.
Intervention and Interveners
A suggested job description that was developed by administrators, parents, paraprofessionals, and VI professionals.
Interpreter, Intervener, Co-Navigator/Support Service Provider…What’s the Difference?
Description of these roles and a list of resources to learn more about each.
Interveners: Myths, Legends, and Reality
By David Wiley
There are some misconceptions associated with using interveners to provide support to students with deafblindness in educational settings. The author attempts to clarify intervener myths with the realities of the intervener model.
Ten Issues Consider When Intervening for Students with Deafblindness
By David Wiley
This article provides a framework for analyzing ten common issues a teacher, intervener, or caregiver must address when effectively supporting a student who is deafblind. Questions are provided to help guide a team in planning the best sensory access for the student in all environments.
Orientation and Mobility
Sound Travels
Sound Travels is a guidance document designed to help a team address the needs of a student who is deafblind in the area of orientation and mobility. It came about through the collaboration of several members of the Texas Deafblind Project and an audiologist as they tried to develop assessment guidelines to assist the team in fitting a hearing aid for a student who is deafblind. Their discussion and collaboration identified some specific challenges that must be met by the team to insure appropriate amplification and instruction is in place for a student who is deafblind.
Routines
Incorporating Active Learning Theory into Activity Routines
By Stacy Shafer and Kate Moss Hurst, TSBVI
This article focuses on Phase IV and V of Lilli Nielsen’s five educational phases of educational treatment outlined in her book, Are You Blind?, and how the Active Learning principles can be incorporated into activity routines.
By Robbie Blaha and Kate Moss Hurst
A discussion of the benefits of using routines with children who are deafblind. The article includes guidance on developing routines for use at home and at school.
Sexuality
Becoming a Woman
By Kate Moss Hurst
This article discusses strategies for helping a young woman prepare for her menstrual period.
Masturbation
By Robbie Blaha and Kate Moss Hurst
This article is an except of the larger publication by these authors, Introduction to Sexuality Education for Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind and Significantly Developmentally Delayed. It address this topic from the perspective of the individual who is deafblind and offers strategies to help parents and professionals appropriately address this issue.
Transition to Adulthood
Brief Guide to Person-Centered Planning Workbook
By Kate Moss Hurst and David Wiley
This workbook is used to help families and others supporting the adult transition of an individual who is deafblind. It is a tool for creating a person-centered plan.
Transition from School to Adult Life in the Community: A Three-Part Planning Sheet
By David Wiley
This planning sheet provides guidance in developing a vision for the future of an individual who is deafblind through the use of questions and the creation of a vision for various aspects of adult life.
When Planning for Adult Life, How is a life-style different than a program?
By David Wiley
David Wiley discusses the need to use programs to develop a life-style rather than use them to box a person into a list of services.