Linda Burkhart outlines the many skills that can be reinforced through adapted play, including cognitive, communication, and fine and gross motor skills. She also offers suggestions for expanding communication skills and interaction through play.
Source: Simplified Technology
Communication Resources
This topic collects information on the development of language and communication skills in those who are blind or visually impaired. Most links here focus on younger children. Parents can explore strategies for establishing communication, fostering the use of language, and the use of tactile and object cues in helping the child to understand their environment.
The history and structure of braille, with attention to the issues of learning braille as an adult; includes a discussion of finger sensitivity, and alternatives to braille.
Source: VisionAwareThis section of the AFB website includes resources for teachers of braille, resources for parents, a link to DOTS, the newsletter for braille literacy, and a listing of sources of braille materials.
Source: American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)Reproduced by Duxbury, Inc., world leader in software for braille and braille translation. These are print resources for students and teachers of braille.
Source: Duxbury Systems, IncNFB offers many braille-related programs through its Jernigan Institute, including the Braille Certification Training Program for people who want to become braille transcribers.
Source: National Federation of the Blind (NFB)Helping your child with visual impairments under how nonverbal behavior and body language contribute to communication.
Source: Family Connect for Parents of Children with Visual ImpairmentsAnother useful list of reminders for behaving with consideration when interacting socially.
Source: Vision AustraliaThe articles in this section offer a wealth of information on alternate methods of communication, including symbol systems, schedules, and sign language.
Source: FamilyConnect for Parents of Children with Visual ImpairmentsThese fact sheets inform parents on all aspects of communication. Each sheet defines the topic, explains its importance, and offers tips and important points to remember. Some are available in Spanish.
Source: National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB)This assessment tool is designed to pinpoint exactly how a child is currently communicating and to assist in creating communication goals. This user-friendly online version is aimed at parents whose children have severe multiple disabilities. Available in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Czech.
A wide range of teaching strategies used to provide effective instruction to students with visual impairments and additional disabilities is presented in this collection of video webcasts. Includes reflections on touch, tangible symbols, and creating communications portfolios for students.
Source: Perkins eLearning, Perkins School for the BlindProject SALUTE describes the hierarchy of communication symbols, from most abstract to most concrete. Color photographs of each of the eleven symbols are included; available in English and Spanish.
Source: Project SALUTEWhen a child does not speak, many behaviors are a form of communication. This tip sheet reminds caregivers and educators of the basics. This landing page links to fact sheets in English, Chinese, Laotian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Source: California Deaf-Blind Services (CDBS)Author/educator Barbara Miles offers strategies for making connections with students who are deafblind, encouraging speakers to put the elements of conversation into a tactile mode.
Source: Perkins eLearning WebcastsCDBS's fact sheet provides specific strategies and activities that create a need for the child to communicate. This landing page links to fact sheets in English, Chinese, and Spanish.
Source: California Deaf-Blind Services (CDBS)Aimed at parents, with clear, nonclinical language. This is a compilation of three different developmental scales for evaluating social/emotional, communication, cognitive, fine motor, and gross motor development.
Source: WonderBabyFact sheets on all aspects of deafblindness, including communication, routines, the importance of touch, and more.
Source: California Deaf-Blind Services (CDBS)This page offers practical strategies for writing legibly.
Source: Vision AustraliaThis article explains how learning about communication and language differs for a baby who is visually impaired, and offers suggestions for helping your child learn to communicate.
Source: FamilyConnect for Parents of Children with Visual ImpairmentsTSBVI Outreach VI Consultant Scott Baltisberger demonstrates how to make a cardboard calendar box.
Source: Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI)