Chapter 13

Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to:

  • List and describe low incidence disabilities;
  • Understand the history of deaf education;
  • Understand possible causes of hearing loss;
  • List and describe the types and degrees of hearing loss and its diagnosis;
  • List and describe the types of assistive and medical technology used to help children with hearing loss;
  • Understand the developmental characteristics of children who are deaf or have a hearing loss;
  • Understand strategies, methods, and adaptations related to working with children with hearing loss;
  • Understand types of visual impairments;
  • Identify developmental characteristics of children with visual impairment;
  • Define the causes of visual impairments and its diagnosis;
  • Understand strategies and adaptations used for children with visual impairments in inclusive classrooms.
  1. Do you think a child who is deaf should learn a sign language, or should the child learn to read speech and speak to communicate? Why?
  2. What is your opinion about considering individuals who are deaf belonging to a community of their own (i.e., the Deaf community)?
  3. What do you think the appropriate age is for a child who is blind to learn to read braille?