Response blocking, differential reinforcement for the omission of behavior (DRO), and a cuing technique were used with a profoundly retarded deaf/blind boy to reduce his stereotypic behaviors. Treatment was used for three high rate stereotypic behaviors and was found to be effective with each. (Author/CL)

The article provides an overview of some of the major legislation which has established programs of particular interest to deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind persons. Recent legislative changes and regulatory developments of these laws are also discussed. (Author/CL)

The case study demonstrates the use of negative reinforcement for initial response conditioning of a seven-year-old deaf, blind, physically handicapped boy. A systematic procedure for reinforcer sampling failed to identify items for positive reinforcers. A procedure for removal of an aversive stimulus (negative reinforcement) was then successfully…

Federal legislation enacted in the past three years offers more hope than ever to members of the silent and unseeing minority. (DM)

Presented is a brief overview of current educational programs and services for deaf blind persons through the Regional Centers for Deaf Blind Children and the National Center for Deaf Blind Youths and Adults. (CB)

Results of Part One of the American Association on Mental Deficiency Adaptive Behavior Scale completed for 77 deaf blind persons (3 to 21 years old) indicated that the ABS identified multidimensional aspects of behavior by deaf blind Ss. Its utility was greatly enhanced when norm-referenced, age-functioning levels were computed. (Author/CL)

The study demonstrated the effectiveness of using a multielement design to identify functional reinforcers for a noncommunicating, low functioning, deaf blind boy (age 9). Results indicated that both social and tangible reinforcing consequences were effective in reducing incorrect responses; both types of consequences were more effective than…

The article discusses the effects of the deaf blind child on the family, and particularly on the siblings; calls for more research; and identifies questions on which future research should focus. (DLS)

The author cites findings from a study of the educational placement of 195 deaf blind children. Results indicate that placement seems to be based on several factors, including level of intelligence and additional physical disabilities. (Author/CL)

This article develops a framework for a common definition of system and system change drawing heavily from current understandings within chaos theory, quantum physics, and self-ordering systems. The framework is discussed in the context of TRACES, the national technical assistance agency for students with deaf blindness, and service delivery…

Describes the education of Laura Bridgman, the first deaf and blind person to communicate through language, examining the work of Samuel Gridley Howe, Perkins Institute for the Blind director, as he tested his ideas on: human nature and cognition; the philosophical debates of antebellum U.S. culture; early attempts at empirical psychological…

This article presents suggestions and proven effective strategies for determining eligibility, conducting diagnostic workups, and providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with deaf-blindness. It emphasizes that the optimal rehabilitation process begins before the clients transfer from educational programs. (Author)

Guidelines for using interpreters with deaf-blind clients include obtaining a professional interpreter; assuring the comfort level between client and interpreter; providing critical information to the interpreter before the assignment; and respecting the right of everyone to have full communication. (DB)

Professionals in the field of deaf-blindness are challenged to use instructional practices that have been tested using experimental methodology. Single-subject design has been examined as a form of research that assists in substantiating practice. In a review of the literature, the authors identified 54 single-subject studies from 1969 to 2006…