2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
3/17/2026 | 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM | Tactile Working Memory Scale: An Assessment Tool for Learners with Congenital DeafBlindness | Daytona
Tactile Working Memory Scale: An Assessment Tool for Learners with Congenital DeafBlindness
There are minimal tools available to adequately assess Infants who are born with congenital deafblindness or dual sensory loss (hearing and vision loss). The Tactile Working Memory Scale (TWMS) developed by the Nordic Welfare Centre addresses the critical components of working memory through the lens of tactile development and the scaffolding of cognitive development through consistent and intentional tactile learning. This session will address concepts such as tactile cognition, working memory, dual sensory loss, etc. as it relates to cognitive development for learners with congenital deafblindness and an overview of the tool will be provided.
- Define the concept of tactile cognition.
- Recognize the critical aspect of working memory in the development of cognition in young learners.
- Assess the components of the Tactile Working Memory Scale as a guide for intervention in young learners with congenital hearing and vision loss.
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Susanne Morrow
(Primary Presenter), New York DeafBlind Collaborative, susanne.morrow@qc.cuny.edu;
Susanne Morgan Morrow, MA, CI, CT has 30 years of experience in the fields of deafness and deafblindness. She earned a masters degree at Gallaudet University in Rehabilitation Counseling for the Deaf and then began her career at Helen Keller National Center and then with the National Technical Assistance Consortium on Deaf-Blindness. In her early career, she obtained national certification as a sign language interpreter and provided extensive training on DeafBlind interpreting strategies. Today, Susanne is the Project Director of the New York DeafBlind Collaborative, a federally funded grant for NYS. Susanne’s work aims to bring the lessons learned from DeafBlind adults with lived experiences to young learners who are DeafBlind to enhance communication access and rapport with the world.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from CUNY Research Foundation.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with New York DeafBlind Collaborative.
Nature: USDOE OSEP funded grant.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.