Skip To Main Content

Deaf Blind

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  • Depressed, withdrawn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