Suggestions?

[Panthera]

How about tastes? Interesting foods, or flavourings?

[Karak]

Originally Posted by Hawkzombie

Which is a good point, but if he's unresponsive to stimuli that is presented to him, how much more effort can really be given when they simply don't react favorably to anything presented? It's not a black and white situation as I seem to be presenting it either, but my comment wasn't meant as a 'oh, well, first thing didn't work walk away' but more of a 'Be prepared if things don't work out'

Try and find his interests. Don't get discouraged right off the bat, but also be willing to accept you may NOT make progress.

Didn't you and your wife split up and YOU refused to accept that there could be no progress...

Kirk to Spock. We don't believe in the no win situation.

[crazyD]

This might be an odd suggestion, but perhaps lockpicking might be an interesting activity? I've recently picked up the hobby (PUN ALERT), and I enjoy fooling around with practice locks while watching TV. It's all tactile, and eyes and ears are not needed.

I also have a couple interlocking key puzzles I like playing with to keep my hands busy. Seeing them helps, but I usually prefer doing them blind. Not sure if the skills or interest are there for this individual, but these are my favorite activities that don't involve hearing or seeing.

[Hawkzombie]

Originally Posted by Karak

Didn't you and your wife split up and YOU refused to accept that there could be no progress...

Kirk to Spock. We don't believe in the no win situation.

Hey, I managed to Kobiyashi Maneuver myself right back into my marriage, thank you very much.

I'll tell you when I've had enough.

[Narradisall]

Originally Posted by Hawkzombie

Hey, I managed to Kobiyashi Maneuver myself right back into my marriage, thank you very much.

You.....cheated to win?

[Purple Santa]

Originally Posted by Karak

Kirk to Spock. We don't believe in the no win situation.

If ADD wasn't already liking you, this certainly would have sealed it. Another round of "when are we moving next to Krak" is coming due to this post.

[Hawkzombie]

Originally Posted by Narradisall

You.....cheated to win?

I.....

Shit, Karak, throw me a bone here. I'm spock to your Kirk anyway.

Well, more like Bones.

[Gwinny]

Water play tables? Not necessarily an adult activity, but I've been in special education classrooms that use them. Put some sand at one end and create a gradient of sensation from dry sand to wet sand to water. Bury things in the sand, have things floating on the water, etc. It's a little more interesting than tactile stimulation boxes.

Downside is it can be messy.

[OldeWolf]

Just came by this thread by steer random side-bar chance.
I'll see what I can do to help but first a few questions:

1. How old is the client? I'm aware that he is an "adult" but being classified as adult can range from 18 to 100. The age can help determine the state of mind such as being 18 can have a more youthful rebellion while a client at 50 can be more down to earth, etc. That can also give an idea on how set the client's behaviors are due to the institution environments.

2. How much deafness does he have? Total deafness? How much blindness? Those can give an idea on how much the client can do. Based off of what I've read, it appears to be a complete loss of sight and sound?

3. Assuming complete deafness, how much sign language access does the client have to work with? Is he working with anyone that knows sign language to make a resemblance of language association to objects (i.e. the famous scene for the sign "water" and feeling water in the movie with Helen Keller)? Giving the client the keys to being able to express himself will help you know what he wants in the long run regardless on the fact that all the communications will be done by hand to hand sign language communication.

Those are what I can come up with for now while I get ready for work. I'm aware of the code of confidentiality so answer what you can or are willing to give. I'll do my best to give whatever ideas and advices I can give. I will even contact some of my associations in this field to get some ideas to give you if you want.

[J Arcane]

Originally Posted by Purple Santa

If ADD wasn't already liking you, this certainly would have sealed it. Another round of "when are we moving next to Krak" is coming due to this post.

If you do that, you'll be close to me now too.

[Kielaran]

Originally Posted by Panthera

How about tastes? Interesting foods, or flavourings?

I came in to post this as well. You could do a variety of foods or if he has some flavors he likes, then you could do different food consistencies (aka jello, hard tack candy, real fruit).

Another possibility is vibrations. If I recall correctly, there are concerts for the deaf that involve them holding balloons so that they can feel the musical vibrations. I really don't know much about it but maybe that is enough to go on.

[Akion-Totocha]

Ripe nectarines.

I was thinking about it today, as I eat nectarines in an unusual way. First I soften all the skin with my thumb, changing it from hard to soft all over.

Then I take the cap/stalk off, and drink the juice.

Then I take the seed out and eat the skin and flesh.

But the very act of squashing the nectarine is very relaxing. And also, once it's been squished it can't go back to being hard again, which is something only nature seems to be able to produce cheaply.

I was wondering if it was worth mentioning, as I would have had to tell how I eat nectarines. But then I thought better about it, and maybe it would be of benefit in some way.

Also, nectarine juice is entirely way sweeter than eating nectarines the traditional way.

[ADDGirl]

Originally Posted by OldeWolf

Just came by this thread by steer random side-bar chance.
I'll see what I can do to help but first a few questions:

1. How old is the client? I'm aware that he is an "adult" but being classified as adult can range from 18 to 100. The age can help determine the state of mind such as being 18 can have a more youthful rebellion while a client at 50 can be more down to earth, etc. That can also give an idea on how set the client's behaviors are due to the institution environments.

2. How much deafness does he have? Total deafness? How much blindness? Those can give an idea on how much the client can do. Based off of what I've read, it appears to be a complete loss of sight and sound?

3. Assuming complete deafness, how much sign language access does the client have to work with? Is he working with anyone that knows sign language to make a resemblance of language association to objects (i.e. the famous scene for the sign "water" and feeling water in the movie with Helen Keller)? Giving the client the keys to being able to express himself will help you know what he wants in the long run regardless on the fact that all the communications will be done by hand to hand sign language communication.

Those are what I can come up with for now while I get ready for work. I'm aware of the code of confidentiality so answer what you can or are willing to give. I'll do my best to give whatever ideas and advices I can give. I will even contact some of my associations in this field to get some ideas to give you if you want.

He is 48 years old and has been in institutions since he was 6. My understanding is that it is total deafness and blindness his eyes are glazed over white. As far as I know he doesn't utilize any sign language and doesn't communicate.

I'll see what else I can find out

[Ink Asylum]

Originally Posted by ADDGirl

He is 48 years old and has been in institutions since he was 6. My understanding is that it is total deafness and blindness his eyes are glazed over white. As far as I know he doesn't utilize any sign language and doesn't communicate.

This is so profoundly unfathomable. It's something most people don't think about, but language is so closely tied to thought that it's difficult to imagine what life might be like for someone who lacks any form of communication. The simplest concepts which form the foundation of how we perceive the world may completely escape someone like this.

I am both immensely curious and incredibly saddened.

[Karak]

Originally Posted by Hawkzombie

I.....

Shit, Karak, throw me a bone here. I'm spock to your Kirk anyway.

Well, more like Bones.

You are Spock to my Kirk but even Spock was susceptible to mental issues during Pon-Far.

EDIT: Wow my summoning of Old-Wolfe worked!

[OldeWolf]

Sorry for the delay in replying with more information. I contacted several people that I know that worked with Deaf Blind clients in the past including a Deaf counselor, Deaf Blind SSP workers, etc. Here are what they suggested and had to say.

The counselor suggested that Minnesota has one of the best Deaf Blind service in America and suggested ADDGirl to use the following websites for ideas and suggestions as well as contacting those persons of interest found listed on the websites.

http://www.deafblindinfo.org/
http://www.aadb.org/resources/services/minnesota.html

One of my former Deaf Blind SSP friend suggested some ideas of her own:

There are many different things that the client can do with the sensory activities. He could use different texture beads by putting on the string, or do variety of sensor puzzles (legos is good, Pyrex or twigs). There are a special trampoline such as rebounder or the one with strings attached ( one of the client at Jordan house have that trampoline with the strings, and loved it, hes deaf-blind with developmental disabilities). A great way to exercise with trampoline or swimming. He could do latch hook project if teach him how do that to keep his hands busy. Could provide magnets to play with or do beads on safety pins. Use putty or goop play. Those are the ideas to check
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toys/spe...ties/index.cfm

Of course, can find these toys at any store to find cheap items for similar ideas of what the website shows.

Last thing, could take the client to the zoo to feel the animals or any petting places, can find the books with different textures of animals or something like that.

Both made it clear that they strongly suggest that the Deaf Blind client gets all chances at learning a language, especially sign language and that it's not too late to make the attempt. The counselor asked if the client has any access to a Deaf Blind Specialist to help with the language barriers and other potential issues.

I hope what I was able to share will be of a benefit and help you guys in the short and long term.

I can get more information if you need more. Let me know.

[Purple Santa]

OldeWolf, you are awesome.

[Narradisall]

So, no boobs then? Thanks Oldewolf for nothing