December 22, 2015
Andrea Blackwood Presents at Conference On Exceptional Children
Andrea Blackwood, Technical Assistance Coordinator for the ECU Teacher Support Program for Learners with Deaf-Blindness and Julie Brickhouse, Special Educator at Eastern Elementary School in Greenville, NC presented at the 2015: 65th Conference on Exceptional Children held in Greensboro, NC November 18th to November 20th. The training addressed instruction designed to facilitate communication and math development for learners with deaf-blindness. Practical methods and examples for connecting communication and math were offered. The Communication Matrix, an assessment tool designed by Charity Rowland for individuals at the earliest stages of communication, was used as a guide to focus on specific communicative behaviors to target for learners with deaf-blindness. Examples of the various levels of communication behaviors within the Communication Matrix were examined in detailed.
Specific ideas for embedding communication and math instruction throughout the school day were presented by Julie Brickhouse. Julie shared examples for planning instruction around math concepts using the principles of the Universal Design for Learning. Participants created a lesson plan around a math topic using the Universal Design for Learning principles that was shared with the group.
The ECU Teacher Support Program for students with deaf-blindness provides technical assistance and support to teachers and other professionals who serve students that qualify for the deaf-blind registry. The Teacher Support Program also provides professional development and training. Please use the link below for more information on the ECU Teacher Support Program for students with deaf-blindness.