This paper will present the results of a 3‐yr study (1986–1989) comparing the effect of two tactile devices on communication skills of deaf‐blind children—a 2‐channel vibrotactile (Tactaid II) and a 16‐channel electrotactile aid (Tacticon). A total of three communicative behaviors were selected for each child. A single‐subject alternating treatment design was used and data from each of three substudies were analyzed using three combined Wilcoxin tests. In the first substudy, subjects displayed significanfly more of the desired behaviors when wearing the Tactaid than the Tacticon (0.05 level). In the second and third substudies, and in the replication‐across‐settings study, no differences were found in any of the conditions. In the replication‐across‐change agents study, both tactile devices produced significantly more of the desired behaviors than no device (0.05 level). One of the most important findings was that the children accepted both devices despite the tactile defensiveness often exhibited by so many of them. A second study to replicate the research using only the Tactaid II + device with deaf‐blind infants and preschoolers is underway (1989–1992), and the results of the first year of this study will also be presented. [Work supported by OSERS, U.S. Dept. of Educ.]