Interventions for Children With Deafblindness—An Integrative Review
Child: Care, Health & Development
Sundqvist, A. S., Wahlqvist, M., et al. (2023).
Child: Care, Health & Development, 49(3), 407-430.
This review explores the impact of interventions and supports for children who are both deaf and blind.
Region Örebro County (Sweden); Örebro University (Sweden)
2000 to 2021
All empirical study designs
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In a limited number of studies, positive results were noted following social interventions for children who are both deaf and blind. Interventions included caregiver and educator training and interventions designed to enhance communication via sign language interventions, adapted symbol systems, dyadic interactions, and response prompting. No studies were located that investigated treatment impacts on psychological health, orientation, mobility, independence, transition to adulthood, or sibling relationships. Overall, no overarching statements of treatment superiority or efficacy can be made due to significant differences in study designs across studies, small sample sizes, and reduced methodological rigor.