There are many things to consider when supporting students with sensory impairments: one being the age of onset. What does the text say about this important piece of information? What can it tell the teacher or service professional? How might knowing this information impact the support a student receives? Finally, what is one other piece of information you would gather, if you were responsible for supporting a student with either a visual or hearing impairment?
AGE OF ONSET IS IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPLYING SERVICES TO STUDENTS WITH SENSORY IMPAIRMENTS. IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW IF A STUDENT HAS A CONGENITAL OR AN ADVENTITIOUS (OCCURRING ACCIDENTALLY OR SOMEWHERE THAT IT WOULDN’T NORMALLY OCCUR) SENSORY LOSS THAT AFFECTS HOW THE STUDENT WILL GAIN ACCESS TO THE GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM. AGE OF ONSET RAISES OTHER ISSUES SUCH AS THE PROCUREMENT OF AT DEVICES (BEARD, 142)
A CHILD WHO HAS HAD EYE SIGHT BEFORE WILL DEAL WITH LOSING THEIR SIGHT DIFFERENT LY THAN ONE WHO HAS BEEN BORN WITHOUT SIGHT. BOTH WILL NEED AT TRAINING. THE STUDENT WHO HAS NEVER HAD SIGHT WILL DEAL WITH AT BETTER BECAUSE THEY’VE HAD MORE EXPERIENCE.THEY’VE ALWAYS HAD TO USE AT.
IDENTIFIED NEEDS OF STUDENTS WITH LOW-INCIDENCE DISABILITIES (such as hearing impairment or visual impairment) ARE FREQUENTLY COMPLEX AND MULTIPLE.ADDRESSING NEEDS OF STUDENTS IS CHALLENGING FOR FAMILY, SCHOOL, AND BROADER COMMUNITY. SINCE THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF EDUCATION IS COMMUNITY INCLUSION AND HIGH