One of the most difficult problems confronting the education of the deaf is defining what is meant by the term multihandicapped deaf. Multihandicapped deaf have been sorted into three groups--mild, moderate, and severe--which educators must use for the effective development of educational programs and services. (JN)

One approach that has proved to be effective in providing prevocational training to the deaf-blind and severely handicapped is the continuum concept. This concept emphasizes the individual's movement from the educational setting into an appropriate community-based vocational environment. (JN)

The determination of what is considered to be the least restrictive environment for the deaf-blind severely handicapped child should not be based solely on the child's learning needs. The individual needs of each child should be the main but not the only consideration. (JN)

The Oak Hill School Model was developed to secure the best plan for educating, training, and developing a life program for the multihandicapped person. The handicapped individual's full potential is developed in the least restrictive environment. The group home program teaches self-help skills and is an alternative to the institution. (JN)

Since each disabled student must be considered individually, planning and implementing a realistic individualized education program while meeting the mandates of the law will always be difficult. The primary objective of educational diagnosis should be to determine the child's present level of functioning. (JN)