Challenges and Praxis in Assessment of Congenital Deafblindness
Abstract
The different practices and challenges of assessment of congenital deafblindness have been discussed in the research literature and are reflected in different medical and functional approaches across the world. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the use of both medical and functional assessment practices in a Danish sample of 95 adults with congenital deafblindness. Of the participants in this study, 54% reported regular medical assessment of vision loss, 36% reported regular medical assessment of hearing loss, and 43% reported regular functional assessment by use of video-analysis/observation. Variability in assessment frequency was found, ranging from several times per year to less than once per year. Further, gender, age, ADL abilities, deafblind severity and counselling service were each found to be associated with differences in assessment practice. Findings are discussed and compared with assessment guidelines and recommendations from the research literature.
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