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Sandy
10/5/2015 10:13 AM
I wanted to write a quick post to encourage parents and educators working with a child who has unique communication needs and vision loss. My son became deafblind when he was 2 1/2 years old. We had to learn a whole new language (ASL), Braille and a whole new way of life and thinking in general. Below is a link to one of my first blogs I wrote for Paths to Literacy where a I created simple tactile books for my son to support a love for literacy and also language development (nurturing communication and language through the enjoyment of books:)
Here is the encouraging part...You can do it! I started creating books right away. I hardly knew any ASL, I knew very little about Braille, and even less about all things deafblind. I jumped in. My books weren't perfect but my son loved them. I am so glad I didn't wait until I "knew it all" to start. You can learn as you go (not as overwhelming then). Now, looking back at my early work, knowing what I know now... I am still happy I didn't wait to create books for my child. You learn from what works well and what didn't work so well. The books may not have been perfect but he still learned, he still grew, he still learned to love books! His communication skills are growing daily and that boy sure loves his books! Hope you find these tips helpful-and I would love to hear from you about ideas/books you have created!
http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/blog/you-can-do-it
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And I love the emphasis that literacy can start where the person is and based on his or her interests! I remember one of the students I served was obsessed with mouse pads and she had limited expressive language, but through this interest, we had a portal to communication and even to the touch based skills that are a part of reading!
Amy Parker - 10/5/2015
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She doesn't come to me to let me know what she wants, but it's easy for me to figure out, because she tries to do things for herself. She knows what she wants, and her behavior shows me what she wants. If she runs out of something to eat, she will just try to get more, rather than trying to get me to give her more.
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He knows how to get me to do something for him. He uses some of the kinds of behaviors below to communicate:
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Each question you will see is related to a certain message that your child might be able to express using a variety of behaviors. Read the question and decide whether your child is able to express the message described using any of the listed behaviors. If the answer is YES, then you must also decide whether your child has mastered the use of each behavior or whether it is still at an emerging stage. Check either the mastered or emerging box next to any behaviors your child uses to express the message. Use the following definitions to decide whether a behavior is mastered or emerging
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– Does this in a number of di erent contexts, and with di erent people
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Only does this when prompted or encouraged to do so. Only does this in one or two contexts or with one person.
Each question you will see is related to a certain message that your child might be able to express using a variety of behaviors. Read the question and decide whether your child is able to express the message described using any of the listed behaviors. If the answer is YES, then you must also decide whether your child has mastered the use of each behavior or whether it is still at an emerging stage. Check either the mastered or emerging box next to any behaviors your child uses to express the message. Use the following definitions to decide whether a behavior is mastered or emerging
Yes, that!
Sandy - 10/5/2015