Touch in Teaching and Learning

This session, from the Ohio Center for Deafblind Education, will address the tactile experiences of children and youth who are deafblind. Professionals will be supported to consider the relationship of emotion to touch and the role of touch in gaining and maintaining attention. Bodily-tactile communication methods, from touch cues to ProTactile communication, will be introduced. Two assessment instruments that measure touch and tactile memory will be shared.

Learning Objectives:
• Learn about tactile perceptions: inside/outside body and passive/active
• Learn about the connections between emotions and touch
• Consider tactile sensitivities in individuals who are deafblind
• Consider the role of touch in attention and learning
• Become familiar with bodily-tactile communication methods
• Become familiar with assessment instruments that address tactile learning