Early Intervention for Infants with Deaf-Blindness

Abstract

Few individuals labeled deaf-blind are, in fact, totally deaf and totally blind. Many of these individuals have residual sight and hearing, but may not receive adequate early training in using these senses effectively. Effective early sensory training with infants entails the use of consistent reinforcement methods in natural social contexts. Preservice and inservice teachers must become knowledgeable in high-quality programming components in which the goal is to increase the abilities of students with dual sensory impairments—in both mobility and communication—and to help them become independent, responsible adults.