It is important that the professionals who are contributing to an assessment have knowledge and experience of children who have either an acquired or congenital sensory loss. Because deafblindness is uncommon, and it is vital that a child has a well-informed assessment, it may be helpful for parents to check that the professionals involved have relevant experience in this area. The specialist Sense advisory teachers from the Family Educational Advice Service can often help parents and the LEA in contributing to the assessment. Parents, carers and the child, where possible, play a key role too. It is recognised that families have a detailed knowledge of their child and that their insights are a valuable part of the decision-making process.
All children begin to learn about the world as soon as they are born.
We notice them learning when they respond to our voices and our presence. An early assessment can lead to the involvement of specialist staff who work with families to stimulate the child s capacity for learning. So this new assessment, specifically focusing on dual sensory loss, usually takes place after they have been at school for some time. Increasingly, Usher is being identified in the early years and so the trend will alter. Ongoing monitoring of both hearing and sight is very important for children with Usher.