Communication and Sensory Loss

This collection explores communication differences in individuals with sensory impairment/loss relevant to health and education students and professionals. Children and adults with hearing, vision, and dual sensory impairment/ loss may experience differences and/or difficulties with communication. This book goes beyond describing sensory loss to encourage readers to think about sensory loss and communication as part of a biopsychosocial view of health and the intersecting identities of the clients and families that they service. The book takes a strengths-based, evidence-informed approach and utilises the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of the World Health Organization (WHO). Each chapter focuses on either children or adults with hearing, vision, dual sensory impairment/loss, or sensory loss and complex communication needs. Each chapter introduces the group described in the chapter and issues around appropriate use of terminology, followed by a discussion of the sensory impairment/loss and communication needs considered within each component of the ICF. Chapters conclude with case studies highlighting cultural and linguistic diversity, high-resourced and low- resourced contexts, and intersecting identities in which the framework of the ICF is applied. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, educators, and clinicians interested in evidence-based practices to support their work with individuals experiencing sensory loss.