Multi–sensory impairment: convenient label or recipe for confusion? A scoping review of research conducted in England (2001‐20)

Abstract

In England, the term ‘multi‐sensory impairment’ (MSI) has come to overlap with other labels, which is problematic for both research and practice. We undertook a scoping review of empirical studies conducted in England over the past 20 years on MSI and overlapping labels. We designed and used a review protocol and combined multiple searching methods, including repeated database searches, manual searching of journals and expert recommendations. We identified 29 studies that met the criteria for inclusion in the review, and we analysed these according to three themes: (1) terminology used, (2) topic explored, and (3) methodology adopted. We found that terminology was varied and poorly defined, with a lot of overlap between key terms that were used sometimes interchangeably. Moreover, studies varied in the level of transparency provided when methodology was reported. Finally, there was a dearth of research into inclusion in mainstream schools and research gathering learners’ voices. Implications for future research include the need for: (1) identification of factors that have led to overlapping terminology, (2) greater transparency in how the methodologies used in the field are reported, and (3) more evidence, especially from research on strategies in settings that promote inclusion, and research that includes learners’ voices.

Defining turn taking in intervention for young children with autism: A review of the literature

“…Additionally, the authors served as independent coders in the present study, which may increase risks for inter-rater bias, and including coders who do not serve as authors may decrease these risks. However, because authors commonly serve as coders in literature reviews (e.g., Kamenopoulou et al, 2021;Pennington et al, 2012), we see this as a minor limitation. Finally, because this review relies on how turn taking was defined by researchers in published articles, unpublished materials, such as intervention protocols and coding manuals, which may offer more insight into the intended turn-taking function of an intervention, could not be explored.…”

“…Therefore, the purpose of this review is to determine how turn taking is operationally defined based on communicative function in studies on interventions for young children with autism. Similar review methodologies have revealed key variations across study terminology that ultimately affect study transparency and replicability for future research and practice (Kamenopoulou, Ali, & Ockelford, 2021). A secondary purpose is to explore other intervention content, including participants, autism assessment data, settings, agents, design, strategies, and target outcomes to provide context to how turn taking is promoted in each identified intervention study.…”

Real-Time Scene Monitoring for Deaf-Blind People

“…Multi-sensory impairment (MSI), also commonly known as deafblindness, describes various degrees of vision and hearing impairments that can complicate everyday life [ 1 ]. Estimates suggest as many as 15 million people worldwide manifest severe deaf-blindness, with up to 450,000 estimated in the UK alone (Operational Research Society (2017)); many more are affected by varying degrees of the condition [ 2 , 3 ].…”