S. Watkins et al., THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN INTERVENER MODEL OF SERVICES FOR YOUNG DEAF-BLIND CHILDREN, American annals of the deaf, 139(4), 1994, pp. 404-409
Project Validation of the Intervener Program (VIP) studied and documen
ted the effectiveness of the Intervener Service Model which provides t
he services of a paraprofessional (called an intervener) to families o
f young children who are deaf-blind. The intervener provides auditory,
visual, and tactile stimulation for the child and helps the child dev
elop interactive behaviors instead of isolated, defensive, or self-sti
mulatory behaviors. The intervener also enables the parents to obtain
much needed respite. Project VIP obtained abundant quantitative and qu
alitative data on the effectiveness of the Intervener Service Model. T
he data strongly support the need for Intervener Services for young ch
ildren who are deaf-blind and their families.