Multi-sensory impairment

Multi-sensory impairment (MSI) is a condition which causes difficulties with both sight and hearing. Many children also face other challenges, such as medical conditions or physical disabilities.

A very small proportion of children with MSI are blind and deaf, but the majority have some functioning vision and/or hearing. It is often difficult to establish the level of sight or hearing, especially when the child has other disabilities.

MSI can have a profound impact upon a child’s global development. With the limit of both vision and hearing, other sensory input can be distorted and learning, communication, social communication and relationships may all be significantly delayed.

In our experience, children with MSI will require significant medical, educational and therapeutic input and intervention and will have special educational needs (SEN). Significant differentiation of the curriculum and styles of teaching are also necessary. We would generally consider that an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will be necessary to support a child with MSI with high levels of specified therapeutic support.