Deafblindness: Identification & Referral Information

1. (name of project) Deafblindness:Identification & Referral Information

2. Goals of Training Participants will understand: • What deafblindness or a dual sensory impairment is • The diverse nature of deafblindness • Critical factors influencing the effects of deafblindness • The challenges or impact of dual sensory impairments • Accurate identification practices and outcome • Appropriate referral sources and practices.

4. Faces of Deafblindness • (add the faces of the children from your project)

5. Federal Definition of Deafblindness Deafblindness, or dual sensory impairment, refers to the concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and education problems that the individual cannot be accommodated in programs solely for individuals who are deaf or blind. (2004, IDEA)

6. State / Project Definition of Deafblindness • Project and/or State Definition

7. Other Terminology • Deafblindness / Deaf-Blindness • Co-Occurring Sensory Loss • Dual Sensory Impairment / Loss • Combined Vision and Hearing Loss • Multidisabled (with sensory loss)

8. The Diversity of “Deafblindness” Although “deafblind” implies a total absence of vision and hearing, this is not the case with most individuals who are deafblind. Most children and youth who are deafblind have some useable hearing and/or vision. There is no single profile of a learner who is deafblind.

9. How Might Vision Be Impacted? Low vision (visual acuity of 20/70 to 20/200) Legally blind (visual acuity of 20/200 or less or field restriction of 20 degrees or less) Light perception only Totally blind Other Concerns Diagnosed progressive loss or fluctuating vision loss Suspected vision loss.

10. Types of Vision Loss • History of Untreated Eye Condition(s) • Ocular Visual Impairment • Cortical or Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) • Learning Impacted by Vision – Functional Vision Loss

11. How Might Hearing Be Impacted? Severity of Hearing Loss Mild loss (26-40 dB loss) Moderate (41-55 dB loss) Moderately severe (56-70 dB loss) Severe (71-90 dB loss) Profound (91+ dB loss) Other Concerns Diagnosed progressive loss or fluctuating hearing loss Suspected hearing loss.

12. Types of Hearing Loss • Conductive Hearing Loss • History of Otitis Media • Sensorineural Loss • Mixed Hearing Loss • Auditory Neuropathy • Central Auditory Processing Disorder • Unilateral Loss • Cochlear Implant

13. Who is Deafblind? • The next series of slides will highlight what degree of vision and hearing loss would likely be combinations that result in deafblindness.

42. Ask Yourself… • Does the learner have enough vision to compensate for his or her lack of hearing? • Does the learner have enough hearing to compensate for his or her lack of vision? • If the answer is no to either or both questions, the learner can be defined as being deafblind. (Alsop, 2001)

43. Label Distinction • Deafblindness • Multiple Disabilities • When students are identified as having multiple disabilities rather than deafblindness, the impact and needs of the combined vision and hearing loss should be recognized and addressed (NCDB, 2007).

44. Prevalence of Deafblindness National Statistics: • 3 in 100,000 births • Add age data from John K

45. State Demographics • Identified children and youth in (state) • # __ of Girls # ___ of Boys • # of infants and toddlers • # of preschools • # of elementary school age students • # of middle school age students • # of high school age students • # of transition program age students

46. Causes of Deafblindness • Hereditary • Chromosomal • Syndromes or Disorders • Prenatal / Congenital Complications • Postnatal / Noncongenital • Complications of Prematurity

47. Leading National Causes • Heredity • Prematurity • Prenatal Complications (TORCH) • Postnatal Complications (meningitis) • CHARGE Syndrome • Microcephaly • Hydrocephaly • Usher Syndrome • Undetermined

48. Examples of DB-Related Syndromes Aicardi Alport Alstrom Bardet-Biedl Cockayne Cogan Cri du Chat Down Edwards Fetal Alcohol Goldenhar Hallgren Hunter Marfan Mobius Pierre Robin Refsum Stickler Sturge-Weber Treacher Collins Turner Usher( I, II, II)

49. Leading Causes in (State) • (personalize to your state)

50. How is Deafblindness Identified • Eye Care Specialists confirm visual diagnosis, status, treatment options, and prognosis • Audiologists confirm auditory status and listening device options. • School personnel, as appropriate to eligibility, determine functional status of vision and/or hearing.