Tactile Learning Strategies

A boy at a zoo is feeling a statue of a bear with both hands.

Vision and hearing are the primary senses through which education occurs for most children. When these senses are absent, distorted, or diminished, educators and families must use alternative strategies to support learning.

These strategies include tactile modeling, mutual tactile attention, and the use of a hand-under-hand approach to interactions.

Most children with deaf-blindness have residual hearing and vision. To enhance learning, tactile learning strategies are paired with approaches that incorporate the other senses (e.g., smell, taste, proprioception).

Introductory Resources

External Resource
Using Tactile Strategies with Students who are Blind and Have Severe Disabilities
Downing, J. E., & Chen, D. (2003). Teaching Exceptional Children, Nov/Dec 2003, 57-60. Free download of this article courtesy of Council for Exceptional Children/Online Journals.
Factsheet
Tactile Modeling
From Project SALUTE (Successful Adaptations for Learning to Use Touch Effectively)
Factsheet
Mutual Tactile Attention
From Project SALUTE (Successful Adaptations for Learning to Use Touch Effectively)

Learn More

Touch for Connection and Communication (OHOA Module)

Offline Resources

Book: Chen, D., & Downing, J. E. (2006). Tactile strategies for children who have visual impairments and multiple disabilities: promoting communication and learning skills (pp. 45-72). AFB Press.

Article: Downing, J., & Eichinger, J. (2011). Instructional strategies for learners with dual sensory impairments in integrated settings. Research & Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 36(3-4), 150-157.

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