Deafblindness – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Generally, deafblindness is characterized by impaired hearing and vision. There are a number of symptoms, causes, and treatment options available. This article will discuss them.
Symptoms
Symptoms of deafblindness include difficulties with communicating, difficulty understanding the language of others, and lack of information about the environment. This can cause low self-esteem and isolation. If you are concerned about your child’s development, talk to your GP or child and family health nurse.
A deafblind individual has a hard time picking up facial expressions and objects, and cannot understand language. The deaf-blind rely on their brain to compensate for their visual and hearing impairments. They may be able to use digital devices to communicate, but they will have less information than a person with normal sight and hearing.
Deafblindness can happen at any age. Symptoms of deafblindness are not always obvious. They can come on gradually or suddenly. Some people become deaf and blind at birth, while others have problems with both sight and hearing. It is important to identify the symptoms early, as early diagnosis can help with the treatment and management of the condition.
In the UK, it is estimated that 400,000 people are deafblind. This figure is expected to rise to 600,000 by 2030. It can be a difficult condition to deal with, but early diagnosis and treatment can make a difference. You may also need to find ways to work with other people, who may not understand how to interact with someone with deafblindness.
Some people with deafblindness can develop other problems, such as mood disorders. Others may find it difficult to cope with the change of routine. This can lead to feelings of distress, fear, aggression, and withdrawal from the service.
Causes
Whether it is due to a birth defect, or hearing or vision loss, deafblindness can affect people of all ages. Often called dual sensory loss, the condition combines hearing and vision impairment.
A deaf-blind person will lack visual input, which will hinder their ability to communicate. They will also be unable to pick up on gestures and facial expressions. They may also feel disoriented about their culture. This can have a wide range of health implications.
The most common cause of deafblindness is Usher syndrome. It involves sensorineural hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa. It can also affect the heart, lungs, and genitals. Typically, a deaf-blind individual will use signed language as their primary form of communication.
Another common cause is a condition called microcephaly, which is characterized by a smaller head than normal. Babies with this condition usually start focusing on their faces by about four months.
The earliest signs of deafblindness are usually seen in children. This is a critical time in neurological development. The most effective treatment is early identification. However, the condition can develop gradually in older people. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of services and care available for deafblind people.
A federally funded deaf-blind project provides resources to parents, educators, and caregivers. It also trains educators and provides training to parents. The project’s mission is to empower individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to live full, independent, and productive lives.
Assessment across environments
Those assessing children with deafblindness need to understand the importance of conducting assessments across environments. A thorough evaluation of the child’s cognitive abilities, environment, and socialization skills will help to determine appropriate intervention strategies.
The goal of an effective assessment is to gather as much information as possible and to provide appropriate accommodations. This can be done in a variety of ways. For instance, parents can provide insight into their child’s learning styles and interests.
In addition to providing input, family members can also provide information about the child’s cognitive behavior in the home and in other environments. Information from family members can be used to help determine intervention goals and strategies. Depending on the needs of the child, intervention can include strategies to improve the child’s communication, mobility, and learning.
A variety of instructional strategies can be used to address the cognitive needs of children with deafblindness. For example, direct teaching can be used to help students anticipate events and respond to directions. Other strategies include scaffolding, guided practice, and the use of instructional techniques for generalization. In addition to providing instructional strategies, teachers should teach self-regulation techniques. These techniques can help children to control their own behavior.
In addition to providing instructional strategies, teachers should also use communication techniques to improve students’ communication skills. These methods include using visual cues, gestures, and pointing. Teachers can also use body language and eye contact to maintain communication.
Communication devices
Currently, there are a number of communication devices for deafblindness. These devices are designed to help deaf-blind people communicate with sighted people. These devices can either be high-tech or low-tech.
High-tech devices include the iPhone and iPod Touch. These devices can provide mobile data, GPS, and vibration. They are also less expensive than other devices. This type of device may be preferred by some deaf-blind users.
Low-tech devices include vibrating doorbells and smoke alarms. These devices may also provide amplification of audio. They may also include communication cards, which allow deaf-blind people to communicate with other deaf-blind people.
Deaf-blind people can use one-handed tactile sign language to communicate. They can also use Braille notetakers to communicate with others. Deaf-blind people can also communicate by printing large block letters on their palms.
In the United States, the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program provides access to communication technology. This program provides software and hardware to low-income deaf-blind people. The program is run by the Federal Communications Commission. It ends in 2015.
Another deaf-blind communication device is the Humanware Deaf-Blind Communicator. This device combines SMS texting, Face to Face, and TTY communication. It is available for both desktop and laptop computers. Its software includes a programmable greeting message, macros, and an audible ringing noise.
The iPhone and iPod Touch are both available for deaf-blind users. Both devices can provide mobile data, GPS, and a Braille display. They are portable and require no additional purchases.
Education
Educators have a special responsibility for providing effective educational services to students with deafblindness. This requires training and preparation. This preparation ensures that the most appropriate support is provided.
Deaf-blind children have unique communication and learning needs. They require direct instruction in the use of tactile and visual techniques. These methods include tactile sign language and gestures. They also may require co-active activities. For example, they may need touch to share attention with peers without disabilities.
Adults must also provide direct instruction in gestures and object representations. They should also address environmental barriers to communication. This can be done through teaching routines, object representations, and gestures. It is important to give sustained opportunities for interaction. This also helps deaf-blind children reduce aggression.
Research is needed to determine effective instructional practices. Children with deafblindness need instructional approaches that are tactual, such as tactile sign language and gestures. In addition, teachers may need to increase the amount of time they spend providing hands-on experiences for tactual learners.
Deaf-blind children may need to participate in activities with peers without disabilities. These interactions help reduce stereotypes and anxiety. Adults should also support reciprocal interactions between deaf-blind children and peers without disabilities. These interactions help reduce self-injurious and aggressive behaviors.
Deaf-blind children need access to an expanded core curriculum. This curriculum can be created for individual students or adapted for groups of deaf-blind children. A resource center can provide these services. They also provide training for teachers on pedagogical adaptation. These resource centers also provide communication skills and mobility skills.
Personal-futures planning
Putting together a personal futures plan will require the assistance of multiple people. The team will include family, friends, and possibly even the rehabilitation guru. The process has its advantages. For one, it provides a forum to discuss goals and aspirations. It can also be a good time to discuss possible solutions.
The most common question is “How can I do it?”. Luckily, there are several organizations, such as the Blind People’s Association (India), that can help. This is a great time to learn about the many benefits that are available. For example, you might be able to borrow one of their personal computers for a few hours. The team will also provide you with a pamphlet about a specific program that can help you plan your child’s future. The resulting information can be a great start to a successful and productive future plan.
In addition, the personal futures plan is not limited to the high school years. The process can continue throughout the child’s lifetime. The resulting benefits can be summarized as the following: improved communication, improved self-esteem, increased confidence, and the ability to make informed decisions. The best part is that these benefits aren’t limited to the walls of a school or hospital. These benefits are also available in the home. The personal futures plan has been proven to be an effective way to help children and their families plan for a bright future.
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Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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