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What are good ways to help children with special needs (especially visually impaired or Deaf/HoH) learn at a young age?
I'm a senior in high school looking to major in early childhood education with emphasizes on special education, Deaf and HoH, and visual impairment!
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Michelle’s Answer
There are many interesting, creative and wonderful ways to help people with sensory differences. I will address the Deaf community, because that is where my experience is.
Every deaf child and adult should have a video relay phone so they can have conversations with their friends and family. This is an amazing thing. It is free for the Deaf individual and free for the hearing person to call the Deaf person on a toll free phone number. The Deaf person needs to have a computer monitor that is set up to receive these calls. When a call comes in, a light signals and an ASL interpreter appears while the hearing person is on the phone. The hearing person speaks and the interpreter uses sign language for the Deaf person. In turn, the Deaf person signs and the interpreter speaks to the hearing person on the phone. It's wonderful ! So first and foremost, the individual should be set up with a Sorenson Video Relay. Regardless of age. I will put their website below.
Many people I have worked with carry a small card that indicates that they are deaf. Sometimes there can be situations that are confusing to a hearing person. They may think the deaf person is something other than deaf, so a card establishing that at the onset is very helpful.
Regardless of age, it is a good move to establish supportive services for the Deaf individual and their family. Many Centers of Independent Living offer these services and you can look for the services in the town or city you will be working in. It seems as though these centers are by county. The website I provide below will help you figure out which county would be good for your students/clients. The Independent Living Center I worked for in upstate New York has an early childhood center and Deaf Services program. Each center is different, however.
For your blind students, you may want to arrange services for them from the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind. They will be a good place for referrals to your local agenices. Their website is provided below.
Best wishes in your education and with work. I think it is so wonderful that you have chosen such a rewarding and satisfying field that helps many, many people.
https://sorenson.com/solutions/video-relay-services/ Sorenson Video Relay Service
https://www.wasilc.org/centers-for-independent-living Supportive Services for People that have a disability
https://dsb.wa.gov/ Services for the Blind
Every deaf child and adult should have a video relay phone so they can have conversations with their friends and family. This is an amazing thing. It is free for the Deaf individual and free for the hearing person to call the Deaf person on a toll free phone number. The Deaf person needs to have a computer monitor that is set up to receive these calls. When a call comes in, a light signals and an ASL interpreter appears while the hearing person is on the phone. The hearing person speaks and the interpreter uses sign language for the Deaf person. In turn, the Deaf person signs and the interpreter speaks to the hearing person on the phone. It's wonderful ! So first and foremost, the individual should be set up with a Sorenson Video Relay. Regardless of age. I will put their website below.
Many people I have worked with carry a small card that indicates that they are deaf. Sometimes there can be situations that are confusing to a hearing person. They may think the deaf person is something other than deaf, so a card establishing that at the onset is very helpful.
Regardless of age, it is a good move to establish supportive services for the Deaf individual and their family. Many Centers of Independent Living offer these services and you can look for the services in the town or city you will be working in. It seems as though these centers are by county. The website I provide below will help you figure out which county would be good for your students/clients. The Independent Living Center I worked for in upstate New York has an early childhood center and Deaf Services program. Each center is different, however.
For your blind students, you may want to arrange services for them from the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind. They will be a good place for referrals to your local agenices. Their website is provided below.
Best wishes in your education and with work. I think it is so wonderful that you have chosen such a rewarding and satisfying field that helps many, many people.
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Karin’s Answer
If your goal is to major in education of the deaf and hard of hearing, right now, as a high school student, you can pursue sign language classes locally or online. In person really is best, though, and preferably from a Deaf instructor, because it's their native language. Also, try to find events where you can meet and mingle with Deaf people. For example, in my area, there are a couple of Deaf Chats in evenings at local coffee shops. You can usually find this information on social media.
There is a lot of philosophy involved in educating deaf and hard of hearing students. Some people believe they should all be taught to speak and lip read, and get cochlear implants, some believe they should all be taught only sign language, and most believe a combination of the two. You'll want to start reading about these various points of view now to get an idea of what the exact points of discussion are.
There is a lot of philosophy involved in educating deaf and hard of hearing students. Some people believe they should all be taught to speak and lip read, and get cochlear implants, some believe they should all be taught only sign language, and most believe a combination of the two. You'll want to start reading about these various points of view now to get an idea of what the exact points of discussion are.
Updated
Ivuelekwa’s Answer
First we shower them with love , a programmed life is mandatory for they are born special , our ears and other sense of organs is the pathway to Good and evil, there we stand a chance to mold them to a general benefit ,
Secondly make them to understand from onset how special they are , an ique test from kindergathen will place them on path of excellence
Secondly make them to understand from onset how special they are , an ique test from kindergathen will place them on path of excellence