• Deaf/Blind
    Other terms that have been used include dual sensory impairment, hearing and vision loss, concomitant hearing and vision loss and hard of hearing/visually impaired. The term, stated in the IDEA refers to a continuum from hard of hearing to complete deafness and visually impaired to totally blind. Very few people are completely deaf and completely blind. Many students with deafblindness have additional disabilities.

     
    Normal
    Vision    		 --> Glasses Give
    Normal Vision    		 --> Mild --> Moderate --> Severe --> Blind

     Visual Impairment/Blindness

     
    Normal
    Hearing    		 --> Temporary
    Hearing Loss    		 --> Mild --> Moderate --> Severe --> Deaf

     Hard of Hearing/Deaf

    Possible Indicators
    • Inattention
    • Self-stimulation
    • Boredom
    • Lack of communication skills
    • Doesn't participate in group activities
    • Responds better to 1:1 interaction
    • Startles when you approach
    • Missing information that other kids get (incidental)
    • Has trouble keeping up with pace of classroom activities, especially group discussion
    • Tunes out
    • Frequently frustrated
    • Depressed, withdrawn
    • Underachiever
    • Complains of headaches
    • Squinting or straining, fatigued eyes, gets tired as the days go on
    • Clumsy, walks over/into things
    • Discrepancy between what parents and professionals say the student "can do", especially one-time assessment
    • Seems to see or hear different things at different times
    • Difficult to test/inconsistent results
     
    More Information:
    Josh Nelson, Director of Educational Programs
    218-737-6508