New Publications

2008 National Child Count Available

The 2008 Child Count is now available from the NCDB Website

Communication Matrix for Parents and Professionals

Communication Matrix for Parents and Professionals --Rowland, Charity. Portland, OR: Design to Learn Projects, Oregon Health & Science University. (2009) This online assessment tool is free and available to anyone. It is designed to pinpoint exactly how an individual is communicating and to provide a framework for determining logical communication goals. The "Communication Matrix" was first published in print in 1990 and revised in 1996 and 2004. It was originally designed primarily for speech-language pathologists and educators to use to document the expressive communication skills of children who have severe or multiple disabilities, including children with sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments. A newer version, designed to be more user-friendly, was developed for parents in 2004. A 26-page manual providing background information about the "Communication Matrix" and describing its use is also available online (http://www.communicationmatrix.org/CommunicationMatrixHandbookCR.pdf). The print versions for professionals and are parents are still available for purchase from the publisher, Design to Learn Projects. Available on the web: http://www.communicationmatrix.org/ Publisher's web site: http://www.ohsu.edu/oidd/d2l/index.html.

I wish I had...Wisdom from parents of children who are deaf-blind

In NCDB's newest product, parents from across the country share their thoughts and experiences with regard to their family and their child who is deaf-blind.  Read the complete document here

AIM : Assessment Intervention Matrix

Wolf-Schein, Enid G.; Schein, Jerome D. Coconut Creek, Florida: Three Bridge Publishers. (2009) The Assessment Intervention Matrix (AIM) is a curriculum used to teach individuals with significant communication or sensory impairments (including those with severe auditory and visual problems or autism) to develop communication and daily-living skills in realistic, meaningful contexts, at school and at home. It is designed to bridge the gap between assessment and intervention through a process of continuous assessment, structured, intensive intervention, and reassessment, and can be tailored to the needs of pupils with a wide variety of abilities and deficits. AIM is divided into 2 parts addressing 7 skill areas. Part I: drinking, eating, dressing, and toileting. Part 2: personal care, housekeeping, and food preparation. This CD-ROM contains an updated version of AIM, which was previously released in 1995 and 2002. The CD contains separate pdf files of the AIM sections and their associated assessment and curriculum forms. Cost: $34.95 (includes priority mailing). Available from Three Bridge Publishers, 1703 Andros Isle Suite J-2, Coconut Creek, FL 33066. Phone: 954-978-1368. Fax: 954-968-3970. E-mail: scheinej@aol.com.

Meet Lauren Daley (Video)
http://www.helplaurenlearn.net/about_lauren_video

Assessing Communication and Learning in Young Children who are Deafblind or Who Have Multiple Disabilities
Assessing Communication and Learning in Young Children Who Are Deafblind or Who Have Multiple Disabilities. Charity Rowland (Ed). Portland, OR: Oregon Health & Science University, 2009. This 59-page guide is designed to help professionals conduct meaningful assessments of young children who are deafblind and have additional impairments. Parents may also find it helpful.  The emphasis is on assessing communication as the foundation for learning. Copies are available from DB-LINK, (800) 438-9376) or email request to info@nationaldb.org. Available on the web: http://www.ohsu.edu/oidd/d2l/com_pro/db_assess_ab.cfm.

Deafblindness: Educational Service Guidelines now available

This best practice guide is designed to help states, districts, schools and practitioners in supporting students who are deafblind and their families.  Produced as a joint collaborative effort between Perkins School for the Blind and NASDSE, the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, there will be additional efforts to work with OSEP and NCDB in planning for training in the use of the guidelines. Copies may be purchased at www.perkins.org/publications for $25.00 a copy.