Working with deafblind children

Communication and social skills develop in the first years of life for all children, so it is crucial that deafblind children receive appropriate support from as early an age as possible. Without this support, the negative effects on their cognitive and emotional development can be devastating.

In addition, many of the causes of deafblindness (such as birth trauma and lack of immunisation) together with limited or no health care and education services, mean that deafblind children have or may develop additional physical, sensory and learning difficulties if they do not receive early and appropriate care.

Early identification

Sense International works with local organisations and trains local professionals to identify and assess deafblind babies at the earliest possible age. (Read about our Early Intervention Unit in Romania.)

Skills that matter

We develop follow-on educational and vocational services for children and train teachers to work with deafblind children, both in schools and through home-based education.

Children are taught practical skills they can use and which are appropriate to their lives, to ensure they can participate in their families and communities. (Read about the Teachers' Network in India.)

Essential technology

Sense International provides assistive devices to optimise deafblind children's remaining hearing and vision.