Articles
The following articles were written by members of the Texas Deafblind Project. 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.
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Active Learning
Active Learning and the Exploration of Real Objects
El Aprendizaje Activo y La Exploración de Objetos Reales
Developing my Classroom for Secondary-Aged Students Who Aren’t Actively Engaging with People or Objects
An Introduction to Dr. Lilli Nielsen’s Active Learning
Five Phases of Educational Treatment Used in Active Learning
Cinco fases del tratamiento educativo utilizado en el aprendizaje activo
Incorporating Active Learning Theory into Activity Routines
Job One for Educators: Becoming a Good Playmate
Trabajo Número Uno para los Educadores – Ser un Buen Compañero de Juegos
Taking a Look at the FIELA Curriculum: 730 Learning Environments by Dr. Lilli Nielsen
Auditory Issues
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.
Calendars
By Deanna Peterson
Short description with pictures of a two-week calendar system and how it is used.
By Robbie Blaha, and Kate Moss
This articles provides a basic overview of the calendars utilized by student who are deafblind.
Communication and Language
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 Deafblind Eligibility
Hablemos de elegibilidad para sordociegos
Overview and discussion of eligibility criteria for coding a child as deafblind in special education.
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
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.
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.
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.
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
Coming soon – Sound Travels
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.