DefinitionMultiple disabilities means having naturally associated impairments (such as mental retardation-blindness, mental
retardation-orthopedic impairment, etc.), the combination of which causes such severe educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for one of the impairments. The term does not include deaf-blindness. Organizations-American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
-The Arc of the United States -Center for Disability and Development -Council for Exceptional Children -TASH (formerly The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps) -March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation -National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) -United Cerebral Palsy Associations, Inc. below is a video of children with multiple disabilities at a day school in New Jersey |
Causes/TreatmentsIn about half of the children born with multiple disabilities there is no
identifiable cause. In the rest of the known causes there are chromosomal abnormalities, developmental disorders of the brain, metabolic disorders, and negative prenatal environmental influences. Treatments for muliple disabilities include: -Amiloride -Rehabilitation -Music Therapy -Occupational Terapy For research studies of treatments click below CharacteristicsPeople multiple disabilities may show a big variety of characteristics,
depending on the combination and severity of disabilities, and the person’s age. Some traits that they may share include: - limited speech or communication - Difficulty in basic physical mobility - Tendency to forget skills through disuse - Trouble generalizing skills from one situation to another - A need for support in major life activities (domestic, leisure, community use, vocational) |
Evidence-Based Practice
1) Story Boxes:
Story boxes are a great way to enhance your child's literacy experiences. A story box is a simple collection of objects that go along with the storyline. The objects act like pictures to a blind child. They can make a story become alive and interactive for those students, that don't benefit from pictures. Story boxes are easy to make using objects from your child's toy boxes, or from your own household supplies. First, find a story your child likes. A good place to start is with early literacy books that are rhythmic and predictable (Eric Carle is a great resource). If you are unfamiliar with early literacy books, look at this reading list for ideas. Next find objects that correlate with the story. For example, if you are reading the book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, you could include many of the objects the mouse finds along his travels, such as a glass, a straw, some cookies, a blanket for his nap... Be creative. There is no right or wrong way to spice up a book! The only rule is to make it fun.
2)Story Boards:
Story boards are a great way to enhance literacy experiences. A story board is a picture outline of the story. Kids with low vision, or young kids can benefit from the pictures and the story sequence. There are may ways you can use story boards. You can play matching games, you can create a different story with the same pictures and characters, or you can make a story interactive by passing different pictures or pasting them on a story board.
3)Big Buttons:
You may be wondering what those big buttons are. They are a single message voice output communication aid. On these BIGmack switches,Teachers record a predictable line of the story so students who are non speaking can join in the story.
1) Story Boxes:
Story boxes are a great way to enhance your child's literacy experiences. A story box is a simple collection of objects that go along with the storyline. The objects act like pictures to a blind child. They can make a story become alive and interactive for those students, that don't benefit from pictures. Story boxes are easy to make using objects from your child's toy boxes, or from your own household supplies. First, find a story your child likes. A good place to start is with early literacy books that are rhythmic and predictable (Eric Carle is a great resource). If you are unfamiliar with early literacy books, look at this reading list for ideas. Next find objects that correlate with the story. For example, if you are reading the book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, you could include many of the objects the mouse finds along his travels, such as a glass, a straw, some cookies, a blanket for his nap... Be creative. There is no right or wrong way to spice up a book! The only rule is to make it fun.
2)Story Boards:
Story boards are a great way to enhance literacy experiences. A story board is a picture outline of the story. Kids with low vision, or young kids can benefit from the pictures and the story sequence. There are may ways you can use story boards. You can play matching games, you can create a different story with the same pictures and characters, or you can make a story interactive by passing different pictures or pasting them on a story board.
3)Big Buttons:
You may be wondering what those big buttons are. They are a single message voice output communication aid. On these BIGmack switches,Teachers record a predictable line of the story so students who are non speaking can join in the story.