Georgia Sensory Assistance Project (GSAP)
Services to Children and Youth with Deafblindness
Welcome to the Georgia Sensory Assistance Project Homepage
The Georgia Sensory Assistance Project (GSAP) provides technical assistance to school personnel, service personnel, and families who have children and youth with deafblindness from birth through 21 years of age. Technical assistance may include: in-home consultation, school consultation, family support, networking, demonstration site development, inservices, weekend retreats, summer institutes, loaner bank, material and monograph development, statewide advisory program, referrals to other agencies, and resources. Services may be requested by families of children and youth with deafblindness, school personnel, and agencies providing services to children and youth with deafblindness.
Latest Info From the GSAP Blog
Is Your Child Deaf/Hard of Hearing If so...
Learning
All children learn about their world through their eyes, but for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, eyesight becomes critical in providing information about the world around them. Communicating with family members and friends, and understanding how things work are primarily learned through the use of sight.
Eye Problems
Some children who are deaf or hard of hearing will have eye problems that can impair their use of vision. Certain vision problems are more common in individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
It is therefore critical that children who are deaf or hard of hearing have eye exams early in life and on a regular basis to identify any eye problems.
Often these vision problems are correctable, but some are not. In either situation, early identification will help identify resources to prepare and educate people about possible future medical and educational needs these children will have as they grow older.
What To Do
Because vision is critical to children who are deaf or hard of hearing, parents need to have their child receive a medical eye exam as soon as possible after hearing loss is diagnosed.
Tests
The pediatric ophthalmologist can determine the appropriateness of an ERG (electroretinogram) for detecting certain eye diseases (e.g., Usher syndrome). The ERG is a test that measures the electrical activity of the cells inside the eye to determine if they are healthy.
For More Information
Contact The Georgia Sensory Assistance Project.
