L'histoire de l'éducation des sourds-aveugles à l'Institution pour sourds de Sint-Michielsgestel (Pays-Bas)

Abstract

History of deafblind education in the Sint-Michielsgestel Institute for the deaf (Netherlands). Theoretical and practical changes The authors have been working for many years in one of the most well known schools for deafblind children in the world. This institution gives a good idea of what have been the changes in theory and practice concerning deafblind education over more than 30 years. Looking at a development which started with Van Uden 's conver- sationnal method of language learning in deaf children and Van Dijk's (movement based) theory of symbol formation, and ends up with the presently used approach of communicative development, one can observe both a striking continuity in the philosophy of education and an ongoing adaptation and refinement of theoretical backgrounds and practical methods of education. The changes which are described here reflect not only changes in the paradigms used in communicative development but also in the nature of the population of deafblind children and in the social context.