Deaf and blind people

[mycatis]

Not sure where to put this so..
How do they teach people who are deaf and blind to communicate? I've never been able to understand this, I mean they wouldn't have references points, (language, images etc)

[Eurox]

By touch, Im not too sure how they do do it, but I know they tap them on the arm or something

[snook]

I vaguely remember seeing a film about Helen Keller, years ago, and recall a little of her teaching method. She would take the child�s hand and put it against her face, then slowly start to spell out the word �face� with her finger against the child�s palm. She�d repeat it several times, of course. Then put the child�s hand around a ball, and follow it by spelling out ball. It seemed like an incredibly exhaustive, and exhausting, process, since, as you say, the child has no reference points. Bit by bit, over a long period, the child would somehow begin to understand the words, and communication could really begin in earnest.

I�m sure there�s a whole lot more to it than this, and there may indeed be far better methods these days, I don�t know. But I think that�s the basis of it.

[Drisgirl]

I have a deaf Auntie and cousin.As they dont perceive themselves as different they have the advantage of heightened senses and my cousin in particular can speak albeit in a monotone as she imitates lip movements.My auntie also talks but I find signing and lip reading easier to communicate with her.We have such a laugh at times when we get stuck.Its like a game of charades at times.

[mycatis]

thanks Drisgirl, but I meant people who are deaf and blind

[Drisgirl]

Sorry mycatis - I didnt understand the question properly as you realised.Cant even offer an opinion on that one but its funny how only people with all our senses wonder because we would find it unimaginable to be in that situation.Yet deaf and blind know no different so they think its normal.Good question - now got me thinking.