BIAP Recommendation n° 21/03

MULTIPLE DISABILITIES AND HEARING IMPAIRMENTS

DEAFNESS AND ASSOCIATED DISABILITIES

As we indicated in recommendation 21/01, working with hearing-impaired children suffering from multiple disabilities implies having to deal with specific audiophonological aspects, which do not arise in the case of children suffering only from hearing impairments. These specific aspects are related to the multiple expression of the disability and the various types of associated disorders:

The 21-BIAP technical commission wishes that these aspects be taken into consideration when confronted with a child suffering from multiple disabilities. In certain situations, the use of adapted and sometimes extremely specific communication strategies and pedagogical methodologies is perfectly justified.

BIAP recommends that these specific elements be taken into account, in particular when creating services specialised in the care of hearing-impaired children and associated disabilities. For that purpose, we have included an annexed document which presents certain situations and specific aspects relating to the diagnosis, the elements of care (audioprosthetic, psychological, pedagogical, educational, paramedical..., vocational training..., social and family aspects...) and the continuity of the education process at adulthood.

The foremost objective of early education and parental guidance is to limit the consequences of development disorders in all aspects of the child's development: communication and language, social and affective relationships and interactions, learning.

In most cases, it appears necessary to use a neuropsychological approach, in order to identify the disrupted mechanisms at cognitive, affective and social level and adapt educational and pedagogical techniques and therapies.

This demonstrates the need for a rigorous multidimensional approach, managed by a a truly multidisciplinary team.

Available annexed documents (available on request, please contact the secretariate)

deafness and blindness

spastic child suffering from hearing impairment

deafness and severe personality disorders

deaf (child) and dysphasia

deafness and chronic somatic disorders

deafness and mental deficiencies