Moniqua Gallop

CVI for Babies: Information from a Conference with Anne McComiskey

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Anyone working with children with complex medical issues and/or DeafBlindness will have encountered children with the diagnosis of Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI). CVI is a brain based visual impairment which requires different approaches and strategies than other non-brain based visual impairments. Chris Russell has provided us with a handy Fact Sheet on CVI that covers … Read more

iCanConnect

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Recently, I did a presentation for the NC Beginnings Parent Educators about services available for learners with DeafBlindness and I happened to mention the iCanConnect DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program. Immediately several of the parent educators asked me to stop and explain what this program was! iCanConnect is a federal program administered locally in all 50 … Read more

West Virginia Department of Education Communication Matrix Modules

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Purple background on the left side with text "West Virginia Department of Education Communication Matrix Modules By Patricia Dischinger ECU COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Teacher Support Program for Learners with DeafBlindness" Right side - little boy with blue long sleeve shirt on playing with blocks of different colors

by Patricia Dischinger Most of us are familiar with the Communication Matrix and have used it as an assessment tool to determine a level of expressive communication for our learners with complex needs and/or DeafBlindness. The Communication Matrix rates the level of communicative competence the learner is using to express the four basic reasons for … Read more

What is CHARGE?

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By Jen Chao What is CHARGE? It is an all-encompassing genetic syndrome that affects the entire body. CHARGE occurs in week 2 of pregnancy, when a chromosome flips to cause five defects, typically before the mother knows she’s pregnant. The diagnosis is identified by the presence of the same 5 defects, each letter standing for … Read more

Please Let Me Do It Myself!

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by Patricia Dischinger As a technical assistance consultant who works with teachers of children with DeafBlindness ages birth-five, I am constantly talking with teachers about the importance of independence for children with DeafBlindness including helping them develop the ability to explore their environment independently and to actively participate in their daily activities. Two techniques that … Read more

Together Everyone Achieves More: School/Family Perspectives on Educational Strategies

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Mother, father and child sitting at a table with teacher

The acronym T.E.A.M. stands for ‘Together Everyone Achieves More’. We must be sure to value and recognize the importance of understanding the child’s family perspective as part of the student’s educational team. Academic, functional, and communication success of the child can be achieved when home/school collaboration is present. When the team works together through collaboration … Read more