These materials are from the archive of the SSC Website and may be outdated.

 

University of Edinburgh
 

The materials on this list are available from

  • Down's Syndrome & Vision (including vision assessment of children with additional disabilities)
  • Bibliography - Play & Communication for Children with Visual Impairment and Additional Support Needs

    Books

    Bennett, Neville; Wood, Liz; Rogers, Sue
    Teaching through play: teachers' thinking and classroom practice
    Open University Press, 1997
    ISBN: 0335197329

    Clunies-Ross, Louise ... [et al]
    Look and touch: play activities and toys for children with visual impairment
    RNIB, 1987
    Focuses on different play activities, describing how children of different ages & with various eye conditions can be encouraged to develop through play. Includes info on specialist & non-specialist toys useful for VI children.

    Coleman, Mike
    Play it right: creating and adapting toys and games for children who are visually impaired and have additional disabilities
    RNIB, 2001
    ISBN: 1858783941
    How to turn everyday objects and toys into playthings for children with MDVI; cheaply, easily and with no special skills.

    Hammarlund, Jenny
    Computer play for children who are severely visually impaired: using an alternative keyboard with tactile overlays: some guidelines
    Tomteboda Resource Centre, 1999
    TRC Report No 20, ISSN: 1103-5080, ISRN TRC-R--20--SE

    Haughton, Liz & Mackevicius, Sandie
    I'm posting the pebbles: active learning through play for children who are blind or vision impaired
    RVIB, 2001
    ISBN: 0949390585
    Different types of play & activities are examined and suggested for good learning opportunities for children who have visual impairments.

    Haughton, Liz & Mackevicius, Sandie
    Little steps to learning: play in the home for children who are blind or vision impaired
    RVIB, 2004
    ISBN: 0949390615
    This book explores active learning through everyday play for children from 0-3 years who have a visual impairment.

    Jeffree, Dorothy M; McConkey, Roy; Hewson, Simon
    Let me play
    Souvenir Press, 1977
    ISBN: 0285648357
    Series: Human Horizons series

    Kiernan, Chris; Jordan, Rita; Saunders, Chris
    Starting off : Establishing play and communication in handicapped child
    Souvenir Press, 1978
    ISBN: 0285648519

    Lear, Roma
    Look at it this way: toys and activities for children with a visual impairment
    Butterworth-Heinemann, 1998
    ISBN: 0750638958
    Series: Play can help

    Lear, Roma
    Play helps: toys and activities for children with special needs
    Butterworth-Heinemann, 1996
    ISBN: 0750625228
    Sourcebook of ideas for toys for children with special needs

    Lee, Mary & MacWilliam, Lindi
    Learning together: a creative approach to learning for children with multiple disabilities and a visual impairment
    RNIB, 2002
    ISBN: 1858785316
    How to create an active learning environment for children with MDVI. This book explains and illustrates methods that have been developed over many years, with children of all ages, at the Royal Blind School, Edinburgh.

    Lieberman, Lauren J & Cowart, Jim F
    Games for people with sensory impairments: strategies for including individuals of all ages
    Human Kinetics, 1996
    ISBN: 0873228901
    Describes 70 games that people with sensory impairments can play.

    Longhorn, Flo
    Pre-requisites to learning for very special people
    ORCA Computers, 1993
    ISBN: 190023100X
    Examines skills such as social and emotional competence, communication, play and coordination in the context of the National Curriculum for children with severe and multiple disabilities.

    Loumiet, Robin & Levack, Nancy
    Independent living: a curriculum with adaptations for students with visual impairments: Volume III: Play and leisure (2nd ed)
    Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1993
    ISBN: 1880366037 1880366002 (set)
    Part of three volumes concentrating on daily living, social skills and play & leisure.

    McMahon, Linnet
    Handbook of play therapy
    Routledge, 1992
    ISBN: 0415059860
    Introduction to the theory and practice of play therapy.

    McPhail, Pete
    Soundbeam in special education: movement into music
    Soundabout, [2003]
    Soundbeam is a musical instrument which can be played by children with special needs through use of movement in space from very minimal such as eye movements through to dancing.  This book allows teachers to get the most from their equipment.

    Moyles, Janet R
    Excellence of play
    Open University Press, 1994
    ISBN: 0335190685

    Ockelford, Adam
    Objects of reference: promoting early symbolic communication (3rd ed)
    RNIB, 2002
    ISBN: 1858785294
    Promoting concept development and communication skills with visually impaired children who have learning difficulties.

    Orr, Robert
    My right to play: a child with complex needs
    Open University Press, 2003
    ISBN: 0335211704
    Series: Debating play

    Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
    Play it my way: learning through play with your visually impaired child
    HMSO, 1995
    ISBN: 0117016764
    Contains a wealth of ideas for carers bringing up a VI child with multiple disabilities,  teachers, etc. The ideas, toys and materials have all been used successfully in the home. 

    Royal National Institute for the Blind & VITAL
    Approaches to working with children with multiple disabilities and a visual impairment
    RNIB / VITAL, 1998
    ISBN: 1858781469
    The pack was put together by a group of professionals from the VITAL curriculum group in response to requests for information about specialist strategies and techniques for working with multi-disabled visually impaired children. Includes chapters on Communication, Sensory Stimulation, Environmental Clues and a Meaningful Curriculum. 

    Scope
    Play talks: fun ideas to promote communication through play
    Scope, 2004
    ISBN: 094682892X
    This pack as been designed to offer help to parents/carers and professionals to find practical ways for a young child with movement difficulties to communicate through play.

    Sheridan, Margaret K; Foley, Gilbert M; Radlinkski, Sara H
    Using the supportive play model: individualized intervention in early childhood practice
    Teachers College Press, 1995
    ISBN: 0807734225

    Wainer, Hilary; Stormont, Bobbie; Marks, Christine
    TAC PAC: communication through touch
    TAC PAC, nd
    "Tactile approach to communication" Set of audio CDs, Activity cards and manual.
    http://www.tacpac.co.uk/

     

    Journals

    Information Exchange
    Magazine about helping children with multiple disabilities including making suitable playthings and environments. 3 issues per year.

     

    Videos

    Lee, Mary & MacWilliam, Lindi
    Movement, gesture and sign: an interactive approach to sign communication for children who are visually impaired with additional disabilities
    Moray House Institute of Education, 1996
    Describes an approach to communication developed by staff at Royal Blind School, Edinburgh. Illustrates how a child can develop skills in movement sessions & gradually acquire a sign system specially adapted for VI children.

    Nielsen, Lilli
    Lilli plays with Natalie
    Moray House ETV, 1991
    Video with Dr Lilli Nielsen. OU Education Enterprise Module 23. Duration 40 minutes.

    Nielsen, Lilli
    Lilli plays with William
    Moray House ETV, 1991
    Video with Dr Lilli Nielsen. A demonstration of parts of the approach of 'active learning'.  Duration 50 minutes.

     

    Articles

    Focus on Play
    Eye Contact Spring 1998, No 20 (Whole issue)
    A recurring theme of this issue is expensive, commercial toys do not always make the best playthings. Advice ranges from choosing toys to sourcing them, and explores the possibilities presented by everyday objects as well as specialised technology.

    Bain, Janice
    Toys: more than child's play
    Insight May/Jun 2008, No 15, p43-44
    Describes a toy library service in Fife.

    Bruce, Tina
    Rags to riches? Just pretend ...
    Look Spring 2006, No 43, p13-14
    Looks at using 'treasure baskets' full of playthings (that is, commonplace objects) to promote imaginative play.

    Burrows, Nicola
    Play, leisure and age-appropriateness
    Focus July 2001, No 33, p14

    Buultjens, Marianna & Ferguson, Roseann
    Let’s play together
    British Journal of Visual Impairment 1994, Vol 12 (3)
    Outline of the initial findings from the first year of a study of how young blind children may be helped to develop exploratory skills.

    Corke, Margaret
    Interactive music: developing social communication skills
    Eye Contact Autumn 2004, No 40, p6-8
    Using music to develop communication skills with children who have complex and multiple learning difficulties.

    Daelman, Marlene
    Early communication
    Eye Contact Summer 1997, No 18, p18-20
    Discusses theories on the development of communication with children who are deafblind or have multiple disabilities and reports on work being carried out in Europe.

    Ferguson, Roseann & Buultjens, Marianna
    Play behaviour of young blind children and its relationship to developmental stages
    British Journal of Visual Impairment November 1995, Vol 13 (3)

    Finn, D M & Fewell, R R
    Use of play assessment to examine the development of communication skills in children who are deafblind
    Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness Jul-Aug 1994, Vol 88, p349-356
    A study which evaluates the relationship between the play behaviour of children who are deafblind and their communication skills.

    Hall, Pam
    Learning through play: early cause and effect activities
    Eye Contact Autumn 2003, No 37, p12-14

    Hinchcliffe, Janet
    Vibroacoustic breakthrough
    Eye Contact Autumn 2004, No 40, p25-27
    Sandall Wood School in Doncaster use a new vibroacoustic board to help motivate pupils and aid communication.

    Hirstwood, Richard
    Communication in multi-sensory rooms
    Focus Feb 1998, No 23, p20-31
    Discusses communication options within the multisensory room.

    McDonald, Suzy & Bell, Judy
    Enjoying time together
    Insight Jan/Feb 2008, No 13, p27-29
    Highlights specialist play centres with multisensory play for families and school groups.

    McKinley, Janice
    Bringing play into a neonatal unit
    Insight Nov/Dec 2007, No 12, p25-26
    Describes a home-visiting play service (portage) in Bradford who are helping severely multiply disabled children access play from an early age.

    McLarty, Marion
    Play: are we getting it right?
    Eye Contact Summer 1996, No 15, p13-14
    Looks at how play is used in educational settings for children with multiple disabilities and whether it is always appropriate for the child.

    Panter, Anna
    Let the fun begin: communicating through touch the TACPAC way
    Eye Contact Summer 2004, No 39, p31-34
    A programme of music and tactile experiences for children with profound and multiple disabilities as a means of promoting body awareness and improving communication.

    Parsons, Sandy
    Function of play in low vision children (Part 1): a review of the research and literature
    Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness March 1986, Vol 80, p627-784
    A literature review of the play of visually impaired children.

    Parsons, Sandy
    Function of play in low vision children (Part 2): emerging patterns of behaviour
    Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness June 1986, Vol 80, p777-784
    A study of the play patterns of children with low vision compared with sighted peers.

    Rettig, Michael
    Play of young children with visual impairments: characteristics and interventions
    Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness Sept-Oct 1994, Vol 88, p410-420
    A literature review of the play of visually impaired children.

    Stanfield, Caroline & Zimmerman, Sally
    Music and communication
    Insight Nov/Dec 2007, No 12, p10-12
    Describes work with children developing communication through music.

    Stewart, Christine
    Clowndoctors: slapstick and song
    Insight Jan/Feb 2006, No 1, p23-25
    Play therapy for children with multiple disabilities and visual impairment in hospital settings.

    Troster, Heinrich & Brambring, Michael
    Play behavior and play materials of blind and sighted infants and preschoolers
    Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness Sept-Oct 1994, Vol 88, p421-432
    A study based on a parent survey about the play behaviour of their children. The survey targeted both visually impaired and sighted children.

    York, Liz
    Music therapy
    Eye Contact Autumn 2005, No 43, p19-22
    How music therapy can help facilitate communication with children who are visually impaired and have multiple disabilities.

     

    Down's Syndrome & Vision (including vision assessment of children with additional disabilities)

    Books

    Aitken, Stuart & Buultjens, Marianna
    Vision for doing: assessing functional vision of learners who are multiply disabled (Sensory Series No 2)
    Moray House Publications, 1992
    ISBN: 0901580392
    Result of 4-year study based on research & in-service work from schools, adult training centres etc. For all who work with young VI & multiply disabled people. Sensory Series No 2.

    Bowman, Richard; Bowman, Ruth; Dutton, Gordon
    Disorders of vision in children: a guide for teachers and carers
    RNIB, 2001
    ISBN: 1858782139
    Explains how disorders of visual function can impair visual performance under different circumstances and allows readers to determine how best to devise educational strategies.

    Cunningham, Cliff
    Down's syndrome: an introduction for parents
    Souvenir Press, 1988
    ISBNs: 0285650467, 0285650610

    Dale, F J
    Stimulation guide: a sourcebook of suggestions and activities for multi-sensory impaired children and others with developmental difficulties
    Woodhead Faulkner, 1990
    ISBN: 0859416305
    A useful sourcebook of suggestions and activities aimed at increasing the physical and psychological development of multi-sensory impaired children.

    Goodman, Stephen A & Wittenstein, Stuart H
    Collaborative assessment: working with students who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities
    AFB, 2003
    ISBN: 0891288694

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    Assessment of low vision for educational purposes and early intervention: Part II: visually impaired children with other disabilities
    Precision Vision, 1997
    ISBN: 952519602X
    An overview of assessing vision in children with other disabilities such as deafblindness, developmental delays, motor disabilities, brain damage and learning disabilities.

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    Identification and assessment of low vision for educational purposes in developing countries Part 1
    Precision Vision, 1997
    Cat No: 2805

    Hyvärinen, Lea & Lindstedt, Eva
    Assessment of vision in children
    SRF Tal & Punkt, 1981
    Review of methodology with particular reference to the early identification of visual impairments and the evaluation of visual function in children with impaired vision and/or multiple handicaps.

    Lee, Mary & MacWilliam, Lindi
    Learning together: a creative approach to learning for children with multiple disabilities and a visual impairment
    RNIB, 2002
    ISBN: 1858785316
    How to create an active learning environment for children with MDVI. This book explains and illustrates methods that have been developed over many years, with children of all ages, at the Royal Blind School, Edinburgh.

    Lueck, Amanda Hall (ed)
    Functional vision: a practitioner's guide to evaluation and intervention
    AFB, 2004
    ISBN: 0891288716
    To help professionals gain a better understanding of methods used to evaluate and work with functional vision.

    McDonald, Mary
    Which way? A guide for parents of children with multiple disabilities
    RNIB, 2003
    ISBN: 1858785278
    Part of the RNIB's Early years series of publications focusing on the more complex issues that can arise for children with sight problems who have other special needs.

    Nielsen, Lilli
    Are you blind?
    SIKON, 1990
    ISBN: 8750382705
    Promotion of the development of children who are especially developmentally threatened.

    Rogow, Sally M
    Helping the visually impaired child with developmental problems: effective practice in home, school and community
    Teachers College Press, 1988
    ISBN: 0807729035

    Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
    New directions: towards a better future for multihandicapped visually impaired children and young people
    RNIB, 1990
    ISBN: 0901797586
    This report lays down a set of principles concerning services for children with MDVI and their families.

    Sacks, Sharon Z & Silberman, Rosanne K
    Educating students who have visual impairments with other disabilities
    Paul H Brookes, 1998
    ISBN: 1557662800
    A hands-on resource, this book provides invaluable information for professionals who serve students who have visual impairments with other disabilities and their families from infancy to adulthood. Practical suggestions for students with deafblindness, learning, orthopaedic or neurological disabilities and emotional and behaviour problems.

    Smith, Audrey J & Cote, Karen Shane
    Look at me: a resource manual for the development of residual vision in children with multiple disabilities
    Pennsylvania College of Optometry, 1982
    Aimed for use with children who have a visual impairment or who are multiply disabled and visually impaired. The program describes visual stimulation techniques by use of case studies.

    University of Birmingham.  School of Education
    Developing effective practice in the use of low vision aids for children with multiple disabilities and a visual impairment: Final report for the Nuffield Auxilliary fund
    University of Birmingham, 2001
    ISBN: 0704423111
    Final report for the Nuffield Auxilliary fund

     

    Videos

    Brown, Ann
    Twinkle: a musical stimulation video for young people with severe disabilities
    Soundabout, [2001]
    Twinkle's slow pace and deliberate silences between episodes give the young viewer a chance to absorb the story in separate chunks. Images and music start and stop together enhancing listening and looking skills.

     

    Articles

    Brown, David
    Assessment of visual functioning in children with complex multiple disabilities
    Eye Contact Summer 1998, No 21, p5-7
    Advises on functional vision assessments for children with multiple disabilities.

    Little, Suzanne
    Putting assessment into everyday practice
    Insight Jan/Feb 2007, No 7, p15-17
    Describes one school's multidisciplinary approach to assessment based on the "Vision for Doing" assessment tool.

    Southwell, Catherine
    "But what can they really see?"
    Eye Contact Summer 1998, No 21, p17-20
    Functional vision assessments for children with multiple disabilities and their impact on learning

    Southwell, Catherine
    See for yourself: observing the visual skills of young children and those with communication difficulties
    Insight Jan/Feb 2007, No 7, p11-14
    Explores the challenge of assessing the functional vision of children who have communication dificulties.

    Woodhouse, Maggie
    Down's syndrome and visual impairment
    Eye Contact Spring 2000, No 26, p20-22
    Findings of a study into the visual problems of children with Down's syndrome.

    Woodhouse, Maggie & Al-Bagdady, Mohammad
    Practical approaches to vision in children with Down's Syndrome
    Insight Sept/Oct 2007, No 11, p24-27
    New approaches to helping children with down's syndrome see as well as possible.

     

    Tests: Acuity

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    3-d symbol set
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat No: 2516 Double-sided board with four symbol blocks

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    9 line horizontal translucent distance chart
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat No: 2523 Distance chart, instruction sheet and set of symbol cards

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    9 line wide spaced translucent distance chart
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat No: 2505 Distance chart, instruction sheet and set of symbol cards

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    Crowded symbol book
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat No: 2507 Symbol book, instruction booklet and set of symbol cards

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    Lea gratings (visual acuity test): small, medium and large face stimulus paddle
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat Nos: 2530, 2531, 2532

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    Pocket-sized near vision card
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat No: 2509 (Same as 2508 except smaller) Card and instruction booklet

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    Single symbol book
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat No: 2506 Symbol book, instruction booklet and set of symbol cards

     

    Tests: Colour Vision

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    Quantitative color vision test: PV-16
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat No: 2603 16 Colour discs, 17 restriction rings, recording forms and manual (x2)

     

    Tests: Contrast Sensitivity

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    Enhancement of low contrast vision game
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat No: 2528 4 packs of 16 low contrast domino cards and instruction sheet

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    Heidi expressions: test game (low contrast, facial recognition)
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat No: 2545 Includes three sets of 18 pictures (full contrast, 10% contrast and 2.5% contrast) and instruction sheet

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    Hiding Heidi: low contrast "face" test
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat No: 2535  Includes 4 plastic cards and instructions

    Hyvärinen, Lea
    Lea symbol screener (contrast sensitivity, near vision and distance vision)
    Precision Vision, nd
    Cat No: 2522 Screener charts, manual, recording forms and set of symbol cards

     

    Tests: Functional

    Kinsley-Crisp, Ronald
    Do you have a child with a visual dysfunction in your classroom?
    JAG Enterprises, 1998
    Manual and assessment kit for use by teachers in mainstream schools who have children with learning difficulties and/or behavioural problems, but who are not regarded as visually impaired.  Kit includes eye dominance, distance & near vision, colour and paper glare tests and coloured overlays.

    Nielsen, Lilli
    FIELA curriculum: 730 learning environments = The flexible individual enriched level appropriate curriculum
    SIKON, 1998
    ISBN: 8760175338
    Comprises a book, a catalogue and a velcro board, made to ensure that the child with one or several disabilities can access an individual learning programme which will match his developmental level, his needs for learning and his interests.