BLENNZ Learning Library

Te Kotuituinga Mātauranga Pura o Aotearoa

Teaching NZSL alphabet to a primary learner who is deafblind and has down syndrome

October 14, 2015 by blennzict | 0 comments

Child sitting on a chair signing W with her hands

Figure 1 Grita signing W

Grita is a 10 year old girl who is deafblind, has Down Syndrome and developmental delay.  She is blind in her left eye and has 4/60 vision in her right eye.

Grita is in a mainstream setting and is attending her local primary school.

Here BLENNZ Resource Teacher: Vision Lynlee Pendrigh who is her weekly ORS teacher, talks about how Grita uses key New Zealand Sign Language signs and speech to communicate alongside her peers in the classroom.

In figure 1 Grita is signing the letter W. Continue Reading →

Developing Communication in a Bilingual Setting

March 28, 2013 by blennzict | 0 comments

Nevaeh pointing to cat in the book

Figure 1 Nevaeh is pointing to a cat in the book

Nevaeh is a 3 year old girl with a history of bilateral congenital nasolachrymal duct obstruction, nystagmus, and refractive error.  She also has Down Syndrome.

Nevaeh is learning how to communicate within a bilingual setting at her local Kohanga Reo.  She is beginning to use the Makaton sign system, gestures and some speech to support the development of her communication skills (figure 1) in English and Maori.

Gina Robinson, BLENNZ Resource Teacher Vision describes how she has introduced Nevaeh to signing as a communication tool which gives meaning to her language. Continue Reading →

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