Considerations in Assessment of Children with Severe Disabilities including Deaf‐Blindness and Autism

Abstract

Abstract This paper will discuss the difficulties in assessment of autistic and deaf‐blind children with such severe difficulties in communication that they are often labelled as untestable and subsequently misdiagnosed as severely to profoundly mentally retarded. It will go on to make the case for nonintrusive assessment and appropriate intervention as the most relevant procedures for helping this population advance educationally and in life skills. While this paper will focus on children, the points made apply to individuals of all ages.