Video-Counseling for Multi-Handicapped Hearing-Impaired Students

It is difficult to provide counseling for the multi-handicapped hearing-impaired student who demonstrates severe language/communication deficits, impaired cognitive functioning, and limitations in adaptive/interactive behavior. Abstract crisis intervention strategies do not provide an effective means of dealing with severe behavior problems shown by these students.

In the Davidson School program of Elwyn Institutes, we are currently developing a means of counseling multi-handicapped hearing-impaired students through the use of a four-phase videotape program. These phases involve videotaping a role model who shows inappropriate classroom behavior, and then appropriate behavior following intervention by the teacher to calm the student and determine the cause of the problem. The target student then views the videotape with the teacher to provide a meaningful basis for communication during a crisis intervention period or a counseling session.