Tadoma:
Students who are deaf-blind frequently use their senses of
touch and movement to get information about the activities, people and places
around them. Students may be able to use several senses together (e.g.,
touch plus hearing plus movement) to build skills such as speech, use of remaining
vision and/or hearing, and sign language. They may also use their senses
of touch and/or movement for the sole purpose of enjoyment.
Objective:
Tadoma is a method for teaching the student with dual sensory impairments
to speak. The method was developed at Perkins School for the Blind for deaf-blind
children. Tadoma also can be used to provide students with very pleasurable
sensations of touch and movement which come from others' speech and singing
which they cannot see or hear.
Hand placement:
The hand of the student is placed on the face of the speaker with the thumb
lightly placed on the speaker's lips and the fingers spread on the cheek
and upper neck. In this way, the student feels the lip movement, air in
the cheeks, and the vibration of the vocal cords as each sound is made.
Sounds which look alike on the lips (e.g., "F" and "V")
will feel differently on the speaker's face and throat. If the child has
some vision, the adult should be positioned so the student can watch the
adult's lips and facial expression. If the student wears hearing aids, it
would be helpful to wear them at this time.
Procedure:
1. Assist student with hand placement. A young child may need to use both
hands.
2. Speak clearly and naturally.
3. Assist student to feel his own face and throat to encourage him to repeat
the sounds just made by the adult.
4. Repeat steps one through three to encourage the student to imitate.
5. Do not force the student to join in the activity if he seems tired or
uninterested. This method should be enjoyable for both the student and the adult.
Resources:
1. Educational Beginnings with Deaf-Blind Children, Nan Robbins,1960.
Perkins Publication Number 21, Perkins School for the Blind.
Watertown, Mass., 02172.
2. Speech Beginnings for the Deaf-Blind Child, Nan Robbins,1963.
Perkins Publication Number 22, Perkins School for the Blind.
Watertown, Mass., 02172.
Fact sheets from California Deaf-Blind Services are to be
used by both families and professionals serving individuals with dual sensory
impairments. The information applies to students 0-22 years of age. The
purpose of the fact sheet is to give general information on a specific topic.
More specific information for an individual student can be provided through
individualized technical assistance available from CDBS. The fact sheet
is a starting point for further information.
Order Number 005.
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