ERIC Number: EJ1114433
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0145-482X
EISSN: N/A
Sign Language, Speech, and Communication Repair Abilities by Children with Congenital Deafblindness
Cascella, Paul W.; Bruce, Susan M.; Trief, Ellen
Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, v109 n2 p141-146 Mar-Apr 2015
There are many reports that identify the communication of persons with deafblindness. These reports are descriptive in nature, highlighting comprehension, gesture development, communication actions (that is, forms) and purposes (that is, functions), and the collection of verbal skills. This report extends the literature with an in-depth descriptive analysis of sign language, spoken words (that is, speech), communication repair strategies, and Communication Matrix levels. As already noted, sign language and speech are typically included in other research reports, but few consider Communication Matrix levels or repair skills despite the importance and relevance of both. Results of the study reported here imply that parents and educators might expect a wide range of skills as children who are deafblind develop speech and sign language abilities, specifically, and communication skills more generally. It is difficult to know why particular children develop more skills than others. To address this gap, future research needs to consider which intrinsic and environmental influence the acquisition of communication skills so that parents and professionals (that is, special education teachers, developmental pediatricians, educational psychologists, or speech-language pathologists) can consider evidence-based prognostic elements during educational assessment activities.
Descriptors: Sign Language, Congenital Impairments, Communication Disorders, Deaf Blind, Speech Communication, Communication Strategies, Language Skills, Scores, Age Differences, Gender Differences, Health Conditions, Video Technology, Cognitive Ability
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A