Experimental Classes for Multiply Handicapped Deaf Children (Summer, 1970)

Described is a 6 week summer school demonstration project for 25 multiply handicapped deaf and educable mentally retarded children, aged 8 to 12 years old. The overall purpose is said to be development of knowledge for establishing ongoing programs for multiply handicapped deaf children in local communities or within existing framework of the Indiana School for the Deaf. Staffing includes five certified teachers of the deaf and three certified teachers of the mentally retarded. Recreational and dormitory personnel are also involved. Instructional grouping is shown to result in eight classes with homogeneous grouping. Program objectives are: development of socially accepted behavior, self care skills, and printing and writing; academic achievement in mathematics, reading, and language; speech and auditory training; communication skills development; motor development; and improvement of visual perception. A typical day is described. Instructional materials used in the program are explained to be either industrial made or workshop prepared. Teachers are said to have tried many educational techniques. Progessional consultants include three clinical psychologists who observed and helped evaluate the children's performance. Parent participation is briefly noted. (CB)