Early Communication
This page has information to support families, staff and other people who interact with people with deafblindness who are ‘early communicators’. They may be:
- infants,
- children, or
- adults
who do not communicate using speech or sign. They could also be just starting to use speech or sign, or only use a few words or key signs.
Webinar | From emerging gestures to tactile sign language
Steve Rose explains development of communication in people born deafblind. He talks about
- early communication
- tactile language
- gesture and expressions
- back and forth flow of communication
Download From emerging gestures to tactile sign language webinar transcript (Word docx, 74KB)
Webinar | Introducing sign and other communication to children with deafblindness and their families
Rob Last and Madelene Rich, share experiences from their work and personal life. They describe different types of communication for children with deafblindness and their processes for introducing sign language. The second video is a recording of the Question and Answer session.
Webinar | Creative Arts Therapy and congenital deafblindness
Clare Fraser talks about the role and processes of a Creative Arts Therapist. She describes how this therapy can enhance relationships, connection and communication. She gives examples from her work with people born deafblind. The second video is a recording of the Question and Answer session.
Download Creative Arts Therapy and congenital deafblindness webinar transcript (Word docx, 242kb)
Download Creative Arts Therapy and congenital deafblindness webinar Q&A transcript (Word docx 227kb)
Webinar | Less ambiguity and more opportunities for closure: Towards a better understanding of deafblindness
The need for closure is a desire for a clear, firm answer or peaceful resolution to a question, problem or confusing event. Humans have a need for closure. Maurice Belote describes how people with deafblindness of all ages often experience lack of closure and the stress this can cause. He encourages the audience to think about when and how closure can be communicated to people of all ages and abilities. The second video is a recording of the Questions and Answer session.
