Involving Siblings
I just had to share this picture of my boys this evening. The little guy, Finn, is 3 years old (typical vision and hearing) and his older brother, Liam is 6 years old (deafblind). Liam uses Tactile A...
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Collection Siblings of people with complex communication needs
Date Created: 12/22/2016
Posts: 9
This collection includes resources and information on the roles of siblings in the lives of people with complex communication needs.
I have 20 years experience in working with people who are deaf-blind as an employment specialist, independent living teacher, in-home parent trainer and advocate. I have doctorate in special education with an emphasis in deaf-blindness and a certification in orientation and mobility in 2009 through an OSEP funded leadership and enrichment fellowship. The Communication Matrix is one of the best assessments I have ever used to empower the teams and families of those that serve students with significant disabilities.
Sandy has highlighted the strength of siblings as communication partners and playmates!
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This is a reflection on my own relationship with my sister and how she has effected my professional journey
Beautiful Brown Eyes- Sensory Impairments in Children with Multiple Disabilities
And so the song goes- "Beautiful, beautiful brown eyes. Beautiful, beautiful brown eyes, Beautiful, beautiful brown eyes, I'll never love blue eyes again." He cradled her in his arms, singin...
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Shelley is such a strong parent leader. Here she shares a holiday memory where her son is involved in holiday baking with his siblings.
Sensory Baking
One of my fondest memories from childhood is baking pumpkin cookies with my mom and sisters. This is a tradition that I now keep with my own children. It is also the perfect time for actively usin...
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Being a sibling of someone with complex communication needs is a joy and an opportunity to see the world in a different way.
Siblings of People with Complex Communication Needs, A Life Journey
Tis the holiday season. It's a time when many people are focused on celebrations and memories. During these weeks in December, as I am hosting our virtual community, it seems fitting to focus on the u...
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What I liked about this organization was the practical language offered on this website and the invitation for siblings to get involved as a community of allies for people with disabilities
Sibling Leadership Network, A National Non-Profit
As I was doing some exploration of resources for siblings of people with disabilities, I found The Sibling Leadership Network. As their Facebook and website state: "The SLN is a national nonprofit org...
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Siblings have a profound influence on each other. This post includes some reflections from my mom on raising a daughters, one with complex needs, along with a typical child.
Mutual Influence- Sisters as Communication Partners
This week, I've been reflecting again on my own journey as a sibling of someone with multiple disabilities. I can truly say that M has been one of the most influential people in my life and I have be...
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This tip sheet has practical thoughts for adult siblings of persons with disabilities.
Tip Sheet for Adult Siblings of Persons with Disabilities
As I have been scanning the literature on people with disabilities and their siblings, I have been reading research about what you might intuit to be true, that the strength of the sibling relationshi...
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How natural is it for young siblings to joke about diarrhea? Very natural, even when using an AAC device.
Some fabulous videos of siblings chatting using AAC
A natural conversation between siblings about diarrhea and pee pee! Good stuff! Another treasure of a mom encouraging a conversation between siblings during snack time. Search YouTube for more ...
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More on the topic of siblings with a strong review of studies that included the siblings of children with autism.
Sibling Influence and Sibling Intervention
Over the past several weeks, I have been reflecting on siblings of people with multiple disabilities or those with complex communication needs. This interest is both professional and personal. Has an...
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Statement A
My child doesn't seem to have real control over his body yet.
The only way I know that he wants something is because he fusses or whines when he's unhappy or uncomfortable, and he smiles, makes noises or calms down when he's happy and comfortable. Does this statement describe your child?
Statement B
My child has control over her own behaviors, but she doesn't use them to try to communicate to me.
She doesn't come to me to let me know what she wants, but it's easy for me to figure out, because she tries to do things for herself. She knows what she wants, and her behavior shows me what she wants. If she runs out of something to eat, she will just try to get more, rather than trying to get me to give her more.
Does this statement describe your child?
Statement C
My child clearly tries to communicate his needs to me through gestures, sounds or language.
He knows how to get me to do something for him. He uses some of the kinds of behaviors below to communicate:
- Gestures such as pointing, shaking his head, tugging at my arm or looking back and forth between me and what he wants
- Sounds such as squealing to show you he wants something or fussing when he doesn't want something
- Language or symbolic forms of communication such as speech, written words, Braille, picture symbols, 3-dimensional symbols or sign language
Does this statement describe your child?
How to score your child
Each question you will see is related to a certain message that your child might be able to express using a variety of behaviors. Read the question and decide whether your child is able to express the message described using any of the listed behaviors. If the answer is YES, then you must also decide whether your child has mastered the use of each behavior or whether it is still at an emerging stage. Check either the mastered or emerging box next to any behaviors your child uses to express the message. Use the following definitions to decide whether a behavior is mastered or emerging
Mastered
– Does this independently most of the time when the opportunity arises
– Does this in a number of di erent contexts, and with di erent people
Emerging
– Does this inconsistently
–
Only does this when prompted or encouraged to do so. Only does this in one or two contexts or with one person.
Tips on Communication Devices
Each question you will see is related to a certain message that your child might be able to express using a variety of behaviors. Read the question and decide whether your child is able to express the message described using any of the listed behaviors. If the answer is YES, then you must also decide whether your child has mastered the use of each behavior or whether it is still at an emerging stage. Check either the mastered or emerging box next to any behaviors your child uses to express the message. Use the following definitions to decide whether a behavior is mastered or emerging
