The paper examines the development of language in the deaf blind child with emphasis on the child's motoric behavior and imitation as the initial step in language acquisition. Discussed are the following early developmental stages: symbionic (the close physical and emotional identification of child with the mother to be or new mother); resonance…

The report summarizes the main findings of the 1978-79 Louisiana State Survey of Hearing Impaired and Deaf-Blind Children and Youth, conducted by the Office of Demographic Studies at Gallaudet College. The survey included information on 1,470 hearing impaired students receiving special educational services in the state. Of this total, 111 of the…

Described is the Deaf Blind Communications System (DEBLICOM), a somesensory coded information transfer system in which information is received cutaneously and transmitted kinesthetically. Reported is a pilot study done with 15 normal Ss (13- to 21-years-old) which compared communicative effectiveness of conventional temporal Morse code, spatial…

The 35 articles represent presentations made during a conference on improving services to deaf-blind/multihandicapped individuals in residential facilities. Among entries are the following titles and authors: "Federal Thrust of Deaf-Blind Multihandicapped Funding" (J. Franklin); "Prevocational Training for Deaf-Blind (A Research Endeavor)" (J.…

Presented are the proceedings of an environmental programing workshop on deaf blind individuals at which principles, techniques, and examples of behavior modification were discussed and demonstrated. Rules for data collection are given as well as explanations of the categorizing, the measuring devices, and the data sheets involved in behavior…

Presented are proceedings of a conference involving authorities in testing and evaluating the blind, deaf, and deaf-blind. In a paper titled "Psychological Implications of Assessing the Deaf", C. Goetzinger discusses references used in audiology, anatomy and physiology of the ear, degrees of hearing impairment, and implications of the various…

A study involving 24 deaf-blind children (6 years to 13 years old) was conducted to determine the relationship between standardized tests and developmental scales, and systematic behavior observation ratings. (SBH)

The process of instructing a deaf blind student (17 years old) in reading with the Optacon is described. (SBH)

The Independent Living Project for Deaf-Blind Youth at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind focuses on functional daily living and vocational skills. The project uses a video system to replace direct staff supervision. Most students have made a successful transition into adult living and work. (Author/VW)

A survey of families of 54 children or adolescents with deaf-blindness examined parents' beliefs regarding issues of friendship for their children. The mean age of the children was 11.4 years. Approximately 65 percent of the children attended a special school and 35 percent attended a program within a regular school. Almost 75 percent were…

The proceedings of a 1999 international symposium on interpreting for deafblind people presents 15 papers and a report of a survey of 20 countries and 5 organizations concerning the roles, training, and rights of interpreters for deafblind people. The papers are: "European Deafblind Comparative Study--Interim Report" (Lynne Hawcroft,…

Compared were the Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS) and a modified version of the ABS (which allowed alternative methods of communication such as sign language) with 134 deaf-blind persons, three to 30 years old. Among results were that alternative communication methods had no effect on nine of 10 ABS domains. (Author/MC)

To determine the auditory acuity levels and responsiveness of seven deaf blind multihandicapped young children, the authors developed systematic observation procedures that can be used by parents, teachers, and teacher aides. The advantages of this approach and suggestions for further work are described. A case study is reported. (Author)

Analysis of questionnaires completed by 195 teachers of deaf blind children indicated that speech, signs, gestures, and writing were the primary communication methods most frequently employed. Possible reasons for the teachers' disproportionate use of speech are considered. (CL)