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Perkins Picks: Essential resources on early learning for children with visual impairment and multiple disabilities

Sep 29, 2021

Babies and caregivers play together

The first years of life are critical in the development of every child. It is during this time that children learn to move, communicate and acquire concepts and skills that are foundational to their future development and emotional well-being. 

Professionals in the fields of health and education are growing increasingly aware of the fact that when a child is born with a disability or multiple disabilities both sides must learn from one another. The provision of high quality early intervention by professionals who are skilled in understanding the unique impact of the disability on the child and their family will dramatically impact their learning outcomes in years that follow. 

“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.”
Maria Montessori

Perkins School for the Blind has provided early intervention services for four decades. We believe that every child is unique, and children with visual impairments and deafblindness must receive specialized interventions that address their unique and often complex learning needs. In our survey of our colleagues in the fields of visual impairment, deafblindness and multiple disabilities, the following resources were identified as being particularly practical for families and practitioners. We hope that you will agree.

By Marianne Riggio


Curated list of essential resources:

Teaching Life Differently: The Expanded Core Curriculum for Babies and Young Children with Visual Impairment.
J.C Greeley, Melinda Doyle McCall
Publisher: Perkins School for the Blind. Year: 2018. Number of pages: 271.

Competencies for Paraprofessionals Working with Learners who Are Deafblind in Early Intervention and Educational Settings
Marianne Riggio, Barbara A. B. McLetchie
Publisher: Perkins School for the Blind. Year: 2001. Number of pages: 23.

A Strong Beginning: A Sourcebook for Health and Education Professionals Working with Young Children Who Are Visually Impaired or Blind
Anne Tait, Deborah Gold
Publisher: Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Year: 2004.

Early Focus: Working with Young Blind and Visually Impaired Children and Their Families
Rona L. Pogrund, Diane L. Fazzi, Eds.
Publisher: AFB Press. Year: 2002. Number of pages: 528.

Booklets from the Blind Children’s Center:

Move with Me
Talk to Me
Talk to Me II
Dancing Cheek to Cheek
Let’s Eat
Learning to Play
Reaching Crawling Walking
Pediatric Visual Diagnosis Fact Sheets

First Steps
Tanni L. Anthony, Ed.S., Fernanda Armenta-Schmitt, Ph.D., Deborah Chen, Ph.D., Diane L. Fazzi, Margaret A. Hughes, Mary Ellen McCann, M.A., Patricia Nagaishi, M.A., OTR, Judy Segal, M.A., C.C.C., Susan S. Simmons, Ph.D., Ann Stout, M.D
Publisher: Blind Children’s Center. Year: 1993.

Starting Points
Deborah Chen, Ph.D. & Jamie Dote-Kwan, Ph.D
Publisher: Blind Children’s Center. Year: 1995.

Developmental Guidelines for Infants with Visual Impairments, 2nd Edition
Amanda Hall Lueck, PhD, Deborah Chen, PhD, Linda S. Kekehis, PhD, Elizabeth S. Hartmann, M.A.
Publisher: American Printing House for the Blind. Year: 2008. Number of pages: 300.

Resources for Family Centered Intervention for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers Who Are Visually Impaired (VIISTA Curriculum, 2 Volumes)
Publisher: SKI-HI Institute. Year: 1995.

The INSITE Model: A Model of Home Intervention for Infant, Toddler and Preschool Aged Multihandicapped Sensory Impaired Children
Publisher: SKI-HI Institute. Year: 1989. Number of pages: 500.

The Inclusive Early Childhood Classroom: Easy Ways to Adapt Learning Centers for All Children
Patti Gould, Joyce Sullivan
Publisher: Gryphon House. Year: 1999. Number of pages: 207.

Helping Children Who Are Blind: Family and Community Support for Children with Vision Problems
Sandy Niemann, Namita Jacob
Publisher: The Hesperian Foundation. Year: 2000.

Compiled by Marianne Riggio and Lisa Jacobs.

Photo Credit: Perkins International, Perkins School for the Blind.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of resources about early learning. It only includes some of the most practical resources on the topic identified by expert colleagues in the fields of visual impairment, deafblindness and multiple disabilities. We invite readers to submit comments below and to continue sharing resources with us.

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