Young children who are visually impaired and have additional disabilities need to learn to use their sense of touch effectively to promote their growth, development, and ability to communicate. This manual provides teachers, early interventionists, and parents with critical information about alternative communication methods not based on the use of vision as well as countless practical strategies. Topics include assessing a child's skills, planning interventions, and selecting appropriate tactile strategies to meet the child's needs.

Essential Elements in Early Intervention is a complete sourcebooks and guide for early interventionists, teachers of students with visual impairments, and other professionals who work with young children with visual impairments, dual sensory impairments, and multiple disabilities. It includes comprehensive information on vision and hearing examinations, functional vision and hearing assessments, and effective methods of providing early intervention services. The new edition includes expanded, updated information on federal special education legislation, best practices in early intervention, evidence-based outcomes, and the role of the early interventionist, as well as strategies for working with families and educational teams successfully.

"Published in conjunction with the Perkins School for the Blind."

This easy-to-understand guide explains the role of paraeducators (sometimes called classroom aides, teaching assistants, or paraprofessionals) in working with students who are visually impaired and assisting other members of the educational team. When You Have a Visually Impaired Student in Your Classroom: A Guide for Paraeducators provides basic information about visual impairment, the learning needs of visually impaired students, and the special devices and materials they use. Includes easy-to-use forms to help organize information and tasks.

Written to assist teachers and other professionals who support children with visual impairment and additional difficulties, this text examines the role of touch in developing effective teaching and learning. The book is divided into eleven chapters that provide useful background information about the sense of touch, and consider how potential barriers to independent learning through touch can be reduced through structuring appropriate learning experiences. A series of reflective activities are included which are designed to draw out key issues from relevant chapters and invite the reader to explore the implications for his or her practice. A number of these activities are designed to cross-reference with relevant extension standards from the National SEN Specialist Standards for teachers and recommendations about further reading and teaching resources are provided throughout the book. This text will be useful for teachers and learning support staff working with children who have visual impairment and additional difficulties. It will also have relevance to other professionals working with children with severe and complex needs who wish to understand more about the role of touch in developing effective learning experiences.

This fully revised and updated second edition of Learning through Touch is essential reading for practitioners who support learners with multiple disabilities and vision impairment. These learners will rely on support from their learning partners throughout their education to mediate their learning experiences. The text explores the key role that touch plays in the education of these learners and provides practical advice about how to develop the skills through touch that they will need to become ‘active agents’ in their own development. The book reflects international initiatives that seek to ensure that people with disabilities have opportunities to take meaningful control within their learning and their lives. Key features include: Chapters that support curriculum access for learners with visual impairments; Reflections on up-to-date research studies and guidance for further reading throughout, allowing for a strong conceptual foundation for practice; Portfolio activities designed to help implement effective learning opportunities within your own practice. Written to assist teachers and other professionals who support children with visual impairment and additional difficulties, this text will appeal to professionals and students alike. It is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore the role of touch in creating effective learning experiences.

When a child with an autism spectrum disorder is also visually impaired, the effects on learning and behavior and complex and varied. Two exceptional educators condense their years of personal and professional experience into a one-of-a-kind handbook of effective ways to work with such students, including suggestions and approaches for assessment, instruction, and program planning; forms and tools for capturing vital information; information on assessment instruments, instructional materials, and web sites rich in important advice. Professionals and educators, as well as parents, will find critical guiding principles and valuable strategies.