An Introduction to Objects of Reference

This article, written by Keith Park, is reproduced here with kind permission of both Keith and Special Children magazine, where the article first appeared with the title 'A voice and a choice'. (Issue 153, Feb/March 2003, Questions Publishing, tel 0121 666 7878, website www.education-quest.com

Introduction

The term 'objects of reference' refers to the use of objects as a means of communication, and was first described by Jan van Dijk in the mid-1960s as a means of communication for people with congenital deafblindness. This article is a brief introduction to the use of objects of reference. It includes a description of what objects of reference are, who uses them, and why and how they are used. All of the examples used are of real people (names have been changed) who are using objects of reference today as a means of communication in a variety of environments.

Anyone who would like to read more on objects of reference may be interested in the following publications:

Ockelford, A. (2002) Objects of Reference. London: RNIB

Park, K (2002) Objects of Reference in Practice and Theory. London: Sense (tel 020 7272 7774)

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Last updated: 06/11/07