Recognizing the Needs of Families of Children and Youth Who Are Deafblind

Research on deafblindness and families is scant. The few available studies, in combination with research in the areas of visual impairment, hearing impairment, and significant support needs, help paint a picture of the services and other assistance required by families, including siblings of a child with deafblindness. In the present article, the authors synthetize the literature related to families of students who are deafblind and the supports needed by these families. The article also addresses the impact of the diagnosis on the family, supports needed by the family, including the contributions of siblings of the child who is deafblind, and considerations of cultural, linguistic, and economic diversity within the deafblind population. Online resources for professionals who work with students who are deafblind and their families are listed.