The network seminar continued with a summary by Dr Paul Hart, former Head of Operational Support, Practice Development and Quality at Sense Scotland, highlighting the key points from the presentations and video analyses provided by the networks. He noted that the Nordic countries have played an enormous role in his own learning and knowledge development within the deafblind field.
Paul Hart emphasised the importance of understanding the individual who is the focus of the analysis, as well as their way of being within the context of deafblindness. He also underscored the advances made in the deafblind field in recent years, which have contributed to standard literature on human development and aided in attaining a fundamental understanding of what it means to be human.
Paul Hart centred his summary of each of the network’s video analyses on Olle, particularly considering what we can admire about him.
The Communicative Relations network underscored the dialogical nature of communication, emphasising the importance of viewing it as a partnership. The Cue Model, Diamond Model, and related concepts illustrate how communication and meaning emerge through interaction.
– It is impossible to consider communicative relations as involving only one partner in that connection; they must involve both individuals. In the video analysis, I believe the Communicative Relations network helped us to recognise the speaking and listening positions that both Olle and his partner adopt.
Paul Hart noted that the network directed their analysis towards the joint attention between Olle and his partner, the agency Olle demonstrated, and the elements of trust between them, alongside the emotional components, authenticity, and rhythm of their interaction.
Paul Hart stated that we can admire several aspects of Olle through the lens of the video analysis provided by the Communicative Relations network.
– Olle is a boy with something to say; he can listen to your story, has agency, knows what he wants, and trusts others while being trustworthy as a communication partner himself. He is a budding musician, dancer, storyteller, or, in one way or another, a creator. And he remains authentic to himself.
The Tactile Language network demonstrated increasing confidence in recognising tactile communication as a genuine language, tracing its evolution from iconic gestures to more conventionalised signs. This has sparked reflections on the typical development of new languages.
– I think the development of tactile language is one of the most exciting things happening within the field of deafblindness.
Paul Hart noted that a discussion is taking place in the deafblind field regarding whether to teach conventional signs in tactile modality to a deafblind individual or to adopt the natural signs that the individual is developing.
– In the video analysis, the network centred on the utterances, tactile language elements, and tactile categorisation and how these were linked back to the Diamond and Cue model. The breaks and flow in the relationship were also mentioned, along with tactile pointing and joint attention.
From the Tactile Language network’s video analysis, Paul Hart identified several qualities of Olle that are commendable.
– He can solve problems and find solutions; he is able to learn about the world; he keeps his partners engaged and challenges them further; he is a communicator and a user of language. If we acknowledge that new tactile languages are emerging globally, Olle and many other deafblind individuals around the world are pioneers in the development of this language. Therefore, Olle is both a pioneer and a fellow traveller.
The CHARGE Syndrome network concentrated on sensory integration, emotional regulation, and the significance of scaffolding development. They observed how individuals demonstrated strong narrative skills, categorisation abilities, and the capacity to introduce surprise and novelty, and time and tempo as key to the interaction.
– We might admire Olle for his way of being in tune with his existence in the world; he learns from others and has learned how to categorise the world around him.
Paul Hart also focused on the fact that Olle is a storyteller who knows how to build tension and introduce surprises in his communication.
– He allows his character to shine through, and he is happy to be understood.
The Self-Regulation network emphasised the need to move beyond outdated views of “random, purposeless movements” and instead recognise the purposeful strategies individuals employ to optimise information intake and engagement.
– We no longer think of movements as random or purposeless because they wouldn’t be random for the person, and they are not without purpose. Again, I believe our field develops considerably through these kinds of networks.
In the video analysis of the Self-Regulation network, Paul Hart noted that the network spoke about the change of attention and how that is often linked to sensory integration, such as biting a finger or grinding teeth. The network also discussed arousal intensity and how it was linked to the rhythm of the conversation, as well as pace, intensity, sensory availability, bodily contact availability, turn-taking, imitation, confirmation, recognition, sensory stimuli and appropriately challenging.
The network also noted that Olle stays focused on his goals and contributes initiatives with known patterns from previous interactions with the same partner.
– We can admire Olle for being able to recognise you from previous encounters and know what you like to do. He keeps focused on his goals, uses his body to communicate what he is thinking, uses vocalisations to let you know what he is thinking or feeling, and can easily switch from one topic to another. He’s got a great sense of humour.
The Cognition network took an asset-based approach, highlighting individuals’ astute understanding of others, effective working memory, and ability to reference the past and anticipate the future. Paul Hart particularly praised the network’s 2020 publication ‘Revealing Hidden Potentials – Assessing Cognition in Individuals with Congenital Deafblindness’.
– I use it frequently. It is a superb publication that is ultimately optimistic and takes an asset-based approach; it is not interested in finding out what a person can’t do but rather in discovering what a person can do.
Paul Hart emphasised that this approach is vital.
– If we expect someone to be a good communication partner, for instance, that is what they will become. If we expect someone to be able to connect, that is what they’ll do.
In the network’s video analysis, Paul Hart pointed out the network’s focus on Olle’s teasing and clowning, which is related to language development and how each of us becomes who we are. Tapping the nose and changing the game, which the network noted that Olle does, is also related to this.
The network also noted that Olle takes initiative and introduces new ideas and topics, feels the energy and emotion of the other person, recognises the intention of the partner, directs and shares attention, and anticipates the next steps.
– We can admire that Olle is bright and understands other people, has a great sense of comedic timing, and possesses many I-positions. He has an effective working memory, can stay focused for a long time. He can refer to the past, and can anticipate what is going to happen.
The Usher network adopted a life perspective with the individual at the forefront. They used the ICF model, which takes a bio-psycho-social approach, allowing for a more holistic understanding of a person’s medical aspects, personality, outlook, and life experiences, and how these shape their condition. Crucially, the ICF model also stresses society’s responsibility to provide adequate support and accommodations.
In the video analysis, the network focused on three areas: learning and applying knowledge, communication and interpersonal relations.
– Through the lens of the ICF model and throughout all the analyses and discussions, I believe we can all conclude that Olle is simply a young boy and a fellow human being. He knows how to apply learning and knowledge, and he is good with other people. Ultimately, after being our focus, he has become our teacher. Paul Hart concluded.