The term "multiple disabilities" is general and broad. From the term, you cannot tell how many disabilities a child has; which disabilities are involved; or how severe each disability is. Many combinations of disabilities are possible. The different disabilities will also have a combined impact. That is why it is also important to ask:…

In recent years, parents of children with hearing loss and various additional disabilities have shown increasing interest in cochlear implants. This article describes how the program in Hanover, Germany is attempting to respond to this interest. It discusses the selection process for children who receive cochlear implants who have multiple…

There is a paucity of research on counseling parents of children with hearing loss and additional special needs. Therefore, we must extrapolate from what we know of counseling parents of children with a single disability and provide information based on experience. The emotional aftermath of the diagnosis appears similar for both groups. Parents…

A home-based respite care program for children and young adults with severe and multiple disabilities was conceived and developed by a group of parents and community members. A needs assessment revealed the scarcity of respite care in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area. A pilot program was begun to test the model on a limited basis. Evaluation of…