1. An Alternate Path to Braille and Literacy
Getting in Touch with Literacy
New Orleans , LA
December 2017
Sherry Airhart, TVI, Frenship ISD
Ann Adkins, TSBVI Outreach Program
December 2017
GITWL 2017

2. “If a child can’t learn the way we teach,
Maybe we should teach the way they learn.”
Ignacio Estrada
This slide introduces the session & summarizes the program of instruction created by Sherry, APB.
And…this quote sums up the philosophy of APB!
Sherry is going to share an amazing system that she created in order to “teach the way her student, Aidan, learns”.
Brief explanation of how this began…how I met & got to know Aidan & Sherry.
December 2017
GITWL 2017

3. Aidan Born: 2/8/08 (9 years old) Bennett Elementary in Frenship ISD
TVI: Sherry Airhart
COMS: Steve Boothe, Region 17 ESC
Parents: Greg & Stephanie Noyola
Basic background information
December 2017
GITWL 2017

4. Etiology & Medical Conditions
Aidan
Etiology & Medical Conditions
ONH/SOD
Absence of septum pellucidum
Hypoplasia of corpus callosum
Panhypopituitarism – pituitary hormones reduced
Hypothyroidism
Specific issues affecting Aidan; add diabetes insipidus
Show 1st video (32 sec.) – singing Taylor Swift song; 4 yrs old but not really talking at that time; echolalic language; not very meaningful but able to sing the song correctly
Show “Early walking” video (18 sec.) – when I first met him during onsite in Dec
Other “Early Aidan” videos from same onsite of him at home = videos #3-5; he was 6-7 yrs old by then; taken during 1st onsite
…mention impact of sensory issues; still likes to cuddle & hug
December 2017
GITWL 2017

5. Impact of Eye Condition & Medical Problems
No vision (NIL)
Coordination problems & hormone deficiencies (result of absence of septum pellucidum & panhypopituitarism)
Low cortisol levels
Needs growth shots & meds for thyroid
Can affect integration of motor, sensory, & cognitive information between cerebral hemispheres
Sherry describe…
- will see evidence of these in photos & videos
- think about how these might affect his educational program, including braille instruction
December 2017
GITWL 2017

6. Impact of Medical Issues (continued)
Began talking around 3 years old; echolalic
Was not walking when entered PPCD; carried a lot; walked w/ support at 4
Lots of sensory issues – liked swinging, cuddling, being in a closet, having a blanket; also beat on his chest, tapped his teeth
Dislikes shirts with buttons, tags, collars
Eating issues – didn’t eat solid foods, didn’t chew, only liked soft, mushy foods; this is still true
Need for additional processing time
Sherry continue…
Notice other sensory issues – eating issues…video #7 of him eating at school;
pictures #1 & 2 showing motor issues, how he sits, being double jointed - use w/ slide #8?
Ask about other students they have w/ similar issues?
December 2017
GITWL 2017

7. Impact of Medical Issues (continued)
Very low tone – difficulty w/ both gross & fine motor skills
Very poor balance; wobbled when he walked
Did not try to interact with other students, but did sometimes ask teacher what other students were doing
Difficulty w/ change; needs more time for transitions
Difficulty attending; seemed “disconnected” from things and people around him; “in his own world”
December 2017
GITWL 2017

8. Impact on Tactile Skills & Braille
Difficulty w/ fine motor skills
Couldn’t use both hands together in purposeful ways (only beating on his chest)
Poor finger & hand strength – difficult to push keys on braille writer
Problems w/ identifying, spreading, wiggling, isolating fingers, especially using his thumbs
Coordination problems; double-jointed
Photos #1 & 2? Shows motor/double-jointed issues
pictures #1 & 2 showing motor issues, how he sits, being double jointed - use w/ slide #8?
Show other “Early Aidan” videos on braille & reading instruction
- video #10 first, then #11, 8, 9
Ask…how might all these issues affect braille reading & writing?
Show other Early Aidan videos - #12-15?
December 2017
GITWL 2017

9. Aidan’s Educational Program: Strategies & Materials
Concept Development
EVALS Kit – “Beginning Concepts” checklist
Concept books
Identifying, matching and sorting meaningful objects
Object books - about family, anything to include music, object books using nursery rhymes
Some of the things Sherry did w/ Aidan – on concept development
…evolution of APB
(she mentioned the EVALS kit was her guide)
Mention Steve’s role
Outreach visit & recommendations in Dec – all the things Sherry was already doing;
= good instruction since PreK but limited progress
…impact of sensory problems
December 2017
GITWL 2017

10. Strategies & Materials for Aidan (continued)
Sensory, Tactile & Other Pre-Braille skills
EVALS Kit – “Braille: PreBraille” checklist
EVALS Kit - “Tactile Graphics Skills for Math” checklists
Hierarchy of Tactile Skills
OT consult
Motor skills (COMS from ESC 17)
1-to-1 correspondence
More things Sherry did w/ Aidan
…also information from Outreach, Lisa Ricketts, & ESC 17
Me: mention importance of following Hierarchy of Tactile Skills
December 2017
GITWL 2017

11. Strategies & Materials for Aidan (continued)
Emergent Literacy
More nursery rhymes, rhythms, music
Whole event experiences - walking him through the whole process of the activity
Simple alphabet books focusing on one letter at a time
Whole language approach using stories about his family and everyday life events
Listening activities
Listening to AR books and taking tests
Activities of emergent literacy
Describe how he took AR tests; using his auditory strengths
Added Alexa – another example of using his strengths; tied to his speech & language instruction
December 2017
GITWL 2017

12. Strategies & Materials for Aidan (continued)
Beginning Braille
Tactile Treasures
Touch and Tell
Building on Patterns
First line books
Setting the Stage
Popsicle sticks
Lego Braille cells
Perkins Brailler; Mountbatten
Velcro bead braille cells, muffin pan, egg cartons, tennis balls, different enlarged braille cells using various textures, pop-a-cells,
Braille alphabet cards w/ objects & braille letters
Many different OT activities for finger & hand strength
Creating his own stories by “brailling” & “reading” them
Explain/show popsicle sticks
Other materials & strategies???
Me: Setting the Stage
Ann – mention Setting the Stage
December 2017
GITWL 2017

13. “If a child can’t learn the way we teach,
Maybe we should teach the way they learn.”
Ignacio Estrada
Remember this slide???
After all the things Sherry tried, & the use of many traditional materials & methods, Aidan still wasn’t making progress. Sherry faced the issue that many TVIs face – what to do to help him be successful when instruction hasn’t worked????
…RESULT = creation of APB…next slide
December 2017
GITWL 2017…

14. APB – Aidan’s (Alternate) Path to Braille & Literacy
Student-centered approach
Thinking outside the box
Flexible
Individualized
Interest-based = motivating to HIM
Taking an alternate route
Evolving!
When things changed – new educational program after his ARD in Sept (?)
…Sherry’s emphasis on finding a way that he could write his name; her background as a Life Skills teacher
…led to development of the texture system that became APB; the result of Sherry’s creativity & understanding of what was important & meaningful to Aidan
Show how she started…
I became involved again - Steve at Cluster meeting in Jan – took me to see what she had created for Aidan
…show pictures (#1-26) & videos # 1-11
Show materials & pass them around
December 2017
GITWL 2017

15. Additional Information & Issues
Not started as a system to replace braille but as “an opportunity to gain the concepts of reading & writing”
Introduction of a “Pre-Braille Tactile System” (COMS)
Issue of 1-1 correspondence
Tactile & sensory issues
Lack of processing skills
Why it worked & traditional materials & methods didn’t???
But there have been some questions & concerns; other issues that needed to be addressed.
= mostly information from Steve;
Importance of 1-1 correspondence!
December 2017
GITWL 2017

16. APB – Aidan’s (Alternate) Path to Braille & Literacy
“Sherry invented a texture system that has unlocked something in Aidan's brain! He is actually comprehending the meaning of reading now.” (Aidan’s mom)
Share quotes & videos from Aidan’s parents, teachers, & VI Consultant at Region 17 ESC (letter from Steve; text from mom)
Sherry never gave up – kept searching for a way that met Aidan’s very specific needs. And it works…!
December 2017
GITWL 2017

17. APB – Aidan’s (Alternate) Path to Braille & Literacy
“Sherry's system has changed Aidan's world!”
Greg & Stephanie Noyola, Parents
Steve Boothe, COMS
Opened a new world to him (parents) & provided him a way to develop many early literacy skills
- Quote from both parents & COMS
Impact on other areas – not just literacy Changed everything! Unlocked his world! Notice in slides & videos:
More focused
Better processing & understanding (?)
More attentive
More involved in learning & activities around him
Better posture
Improved motor & O&M skills
More motivated to learn; asks for textured books & materials
Participates in grade level activities
- Increased opportunities; other ways to use textures (ILS skills; rec/leisure – keeping score, etc.)
December 2017
GITWL 2017

18. Aidan’s Progress – Where He is Now
Increased emphasis on braille reading & writing
Aidan uses Perkins brailler in class – hand strength has improved
Classroom materials are adapted with both textures & braille
He uses textures along with enlarged Braille when reading
Also uses BrailleNote & computer w/ both textures & braille
He can create & open documents on BrailleNote
That was in Spring 2017…since then – so much progress
Things Sherry has introduced & done w/ him since then…
Show new pictures & videos
December 2017
GITWL 2017

19. Aidan’s Progress (continued)
Aidan uses a combination of textured & auditory materials to access curriculum & participate in grade-level activities
Texas Education Agency has approved using textures on state assessments (he will take star alt)
Independent living skills & O&M skills have improved
Dressing and undressing without help
Puts on and takes off shoes & socks independently
Travels more independently
Show current photos & videos
December 2017
GITWL 2017

20. Aidan’s Progress (continued)
Other changes in Aidan’s educational program:
He is getting more OT time as of last ARD (IEP meeting). 
He is about to start getting music therapy to hopefully help with balance coordination and fine motor skills. 
He has begun participating in Special Olympics  
Family beginning to support him???
December 2017
GITWL 2017

21. Summary of APB (Sherry’s Suggestions)
Being willing to try “whatever works”
Emphasis on student’s strengths & how he learns – not on what he can’t do
Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Importance of administrative support & working with other teachers, parents, & support staff
Look for different solutions
Add whatever else!!
*Using his interests!
*Motivation
*Individualizing
*Never gave up
- See my notes
December 2017
GITWL 2017

22. …Think about that along w/ the next 3 slides…
Remember the original quote? “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn”
…Think about that along w/ the next 3 slides…
December 2017
GITWL 2017

23. December 2017
GITWL 2017

24. Quote from National Reading Association on importance of teachers…??
Sherry has been Aidan’s CHAMPION. This sums up Sherry’s philosophy & APB. Encourage each of participants to be the champions of their students…
We know that teachers make the difference! True not just in reading & literacy skills, but in a child’s ability to access and participate in the world.
Quote from National Reading Association on importance of teachers…??
December 2017
GITWL 2017

25. Contact Information
Sherry Airhart, Teacher of the Visually Impaired;
Ann Adkins, Education Specialist, TSBVI Outreach Program or
December 2017
GITWL 2017