diff --git a/src/tokenizer/index.js b/src/tokenizer/index.js
index 5b10f2e3..777f4df3 100644
--- a/src/tokenizer/index.js
+++ b/src/tokenizer/index.js
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ var TypeaheadTokenizer = React.createClass({
   },
 
   focus: function(){
-    this.refs.typeahead.focus();
+    this._typeahead.focus();
   },
 
   getSelectedTokens: function(){
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ var TypeaheadTokenizer = React.createClass({
 
     // Remove token ONLY when bksp pressed at beginning of line
     // without a selection
-    var entry = this.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+    var entry = this._typeahead._entry;
     if (entry.selectionStart == entry.selectionEnd &&
         entry.selectionStart == 0) {
       this._removeTokenForValue(
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ var TypeaheadTokenizer = React.createClass({
     }
     this.state.selected.push(value);
     this.setState({selected: this.state.selected});
-    this.refs.typeahead.setEntryText("");
+    this._typeahead.setEntryText("");
     this.props.onTokenAdd(value);
   },
 
@@ -187,10 +187,13 @@ var TypeaheadTokenizer = React.createClass({
     tokenizerClasses[this.props.className] = !!this.props.className;
     var tokenizerClassList = classNames(tokenizerClasses)
 
+    var _this = this;
+    var typeaheadRef = function(c){_this._typeahead = c};
+
     return (
       <div className={tokenizerClassList}>
         { this._renderTokens() }
-        <Typeahead ref="typeahead"
+        <Typeahead ref={typeaheadRef}
           className={classList}
           placeholder={this.props.placeholder}
           disabled={this.props.disabled}
diff --git a/src/typeahead/index.js b/src/typeahead/index.js
index 5a2b72bc..978a7fd3 100644
--- a/src/typeahead/index.js
+++ b/src/typeahead/index.js
@@ -125,12 +125,12 @@ var Typeahead = React.createClass({
   },
 
   setEntryText: function(value) {
-    this.refs.entry.value = value;
+    this._entry.value = value;
     this._onTextEntryUpdated();
   },
 
   focus: function(){
-    this.refs.entry.focus()
+    this._entry.focus()
   },
 
   _hasCustomValue: function() {
@@ -160,9 +160,12 @@ var Typeahead = React.createClass({
       return "";
     }
 
+    var _this = this;
+    var selRef = function(c){ _this.sel = c};
+
     return (
       <this.props.customListComponent
-        ref="sel" options={this.props.maxVisible ? this.state.searchResults.slice(0, this.props.maxVisible) : this.state.searchResults}
+        ref={selRef} options={this.props.maxVisible ? this.state.searchResults.slice(0, this.props.maxVisible) : this.state.searchResults}
         areResultsTruncated={this.props.maxVisible && this.state.searchResults.length > this.props.maxVisible}
         resultsTruncatedMessage={this.props.resultsTruncatedMessage}
         onOptionSelected={this._onOptionSelected}
@@ -188,7 +191,7 @@ var Typeahead = React.createClass({
   },
 
   _onOptionSelected: function(option, event) {
-    var nEntry = this.refs.entry;
+    var nEntry = this._entry;
     nEntry.focus();
 
     var displayOption = Accessor.generateOptionToStringFor(this.props.inputDisplayOption || this.props.displayOption);
@@ -206,7 +209,7 @@ var Typeahead = React.createClass({
   },
 
   _onTextEntryUpdated: function() {
-    var value = this.refs.entry.value;
+    var value = this._entry.value;
     this.setState({searchResults: this.getOptionsForValue(value, this.props.options),
                    selection: '',
                    entryValue: value});
@@ -324,10 +327,15 @@ var Typeahead = React.createClass({
     var classList = classNames(classes);
 
     var InputElement = this.props.textarea ? 'textarea' : 'input';
+
+    var _this = this;
+    var entryRef = function(c) { _this._entry = c};
     return (
       <div className={classList}>
         { this._renderHiddenInput() }
-        <InputElement ref="entry" type="text"
+        <InputElement
+          ref={entryRef}
+          type="text"
           disabled={this.props.disabled}
           {...this.props.inputProps}
           placeholder={this.props.placeholder}
diff --git a/src/typeahead/option.js b/src/typeahead/option.js
index b6dfc313..f3ddeaf3 100644
--- a/src/typeahead/option.js
+++ b/src/typeahead/option.js
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ var TypeaheadOption = React.createClass({
 
     return (
       <li className={classList} onClick={this._onClick}>
-        <a href="javascript: void 0;" className={this._getClasses()} ref="anchor">
+        <a href="javascript: void 0;" className={this._getClasses()}>
           { this.props.children }
         </a>
       </li>
diff --git a/src/typeahead/selector.js b/src/typeahead/selector.js
index ac449161..9aea1cc7 100644
--- a/src/typeahead/selector.js
+++ b/src/typeahead/selector.js
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ var TypeaheadSelector = React.createClass({
     if (this.props.customValue !== null) {
       customValueOffset++;
       customValue = (
-        <TypeaheadOption ref={this.props.customValue} key={this.props.customValue}
+        <TypeaheadOption key={this.props.customValue}
           hover={this.props.selectionIndex === 0}
           customClasses={this.props.customClasses}
           customValue={this.props.customValue}
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ var TypeaheadSelector = React.createClass({
       var displayString = this.props.displayOption(result, i);
       var uniqueKey = displayString + '_' + i;
       return (
-        <TypeaheadOption ref={uniqueKey} key={uniqueKey}
+        <TypeaheadOption key={uniqueKey}
           hover={this.props.selectionIndex === i + customValueOffset}
           customClasses={this.props.customClasses}
           onClick={this._onClick.bind(this, result)}>
diff --git a/test/tokenizer-test.js b/test/tokenizer-test.js
index 45b159b4..8d869cb3 100644
--- a/test/tokenizer-test.js
+++ b/test/tokenizer-test.js
@@ -12,14 +12,14 @@ var Keyevent = require('../src/keyevent');
 var TestUtils = require('react-addons-test-utils');
 
 function simulateTextInput(component, value) {
-  var node = component.refs.entry;
+  var node = component._entry;
   node.value = value;
   TestUtils.Simulate.change(node);
   return TestUtils.scryRenderedComponentsWithType(component, TypeaheadOption);
 }
 
 function simulateTokenInput(component, value) {
-  var typeahead = component.refs.typeahead;
+  var typeahead = component._typeahead;
   return simulateTextInput(typeahead, value);
 }
 
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
 
     it('should have custom and default token classes', function() {
       simulateTokenInput(this.component, 'o');
-      var entry = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+      var entry = this.component._typeahead._entry;
       TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
       TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_RETURN });
 
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
             }
           }
         />);
-        var input = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry);
+        var input = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(component._typeahead._entry);
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(input, { keyCode: 87 });
       });
     });
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
           }
         />);
 
-        var input = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry);
+        var input = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(component._typeahead._entry);
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyPress(input, { keyCode: 87 });
       });
     });
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
           }
         />);
 
-        var input = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry);
+        var input = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(component._typeahead._entry);
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyUp(input, { keyCode: 87 });
       });
     });
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
           />);
           var results = simulateTokenInput(component, 'john');
 
-          var entry = component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+          var entry = component._typeahead._entry;
           TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
           TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_RETURN });
 
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
           />);
           var results = simulateTokenInput(component, 'john');
 
-          var entry = component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+          var entry = component._typeahead._entry;
           TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
           TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_RETURN });
 
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
           />);
           results = simulateTokenInput(component, 'john');
 
-          var entry = component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+          var entry = component._typeahead._entry;
           TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
           TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_RETURN });
 
@@ -243,15 +243,15 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
       });
 
       it('focuses the typeahead', function() {
-        this.sinon.spy(this.component.refs.typeahead, 'focus');
+        this.sinon.spy(this.component._typeahead, 'focus');
         this.component.focus();
-        assert.equal(this.component.refs.typeahead.focus.calledOnce, true);
+        assert.equal(this.component._typeahead.focus.calledOnce, true);
       });
     });
 
     it('should provide an exposed component function to get the selected tokens', function() {
       simulateTokenInput(this.component, 'o');
-      var entry = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+      var entry = this.component._typeahead._entry;
       TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
       TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_RETURN });
 
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
       it('down arrow + return creates a token', function() {
         var results = simulateTokenInput(this.component, 'o');
         var secondItem = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(results[1]).innerText;
-        var node = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._typeahead._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_RETURN });
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
       it('up arrow + return navigates and creates a token', function() {
         var results = simulateTokenInput(this.component, 'o');
         var firstItem = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(results[0]).innerText;
-        var node = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._typeahead._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_UP });
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
       it('should remove a token when BKSPC is pressed on an empty input', function() {
         // Select two items
         simulateTokenInput(this.component, 'o');
-        var entry = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+        var entry = this.component._typeahead._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(entry, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_RETURN });
 
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
       });
 
       it('should not remove a token on BKSPC when input is not empty', function() {
-        var input = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+        var input = this.component._typeahead._entry;
         var startLength = getTokens(this.component).length;
 
         input.value = "hello";
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
       it('tab to choose first item', function() {
         var results = simulateTokenInput(this.component, 'o');
         var itemText = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(results[0]).innerText;
-        var node = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._typeahead._entry;
         var tokens = getTokens(this.component);
 
         // Need to check Token list for props.children
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
       it('tab to selected current item', function() {
         var results = simulateTokenInput(this.component, 'o');
         var itemText = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(results[1]).innerText;
-        var node = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._typeahead._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_TAB });
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
 
     it('should allow selection of custom token', function() {
       var results = simulateTokenInput(this.component, "abzz");
-      var input = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+      var input = this.component._typeahead._entry;
       var tokens = getTokens(this.component);
 
       TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(input, {keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN})
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
 
     it('should call onTokenAdd for custom token', function() {
       var results = simulateTokenInput(this.component, "abzz");
-      var input = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+      var input = this.component._typeahead._entry;
       var tokens = getTokens(this.component);
 
       TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(input, {keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN})
@@ -429,7 +429,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
 
     it('should call onTokenRemove for custom token', function() {
       var results = simulateTokenInput(this.component, "abzz");
-      var input = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+      var input = this.component._typeahead._entry;
       var tokens = getTokens(this.component);
 
       TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(input, {keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN})
@@ -447,7 +447,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
 
     it('should not return undefined for a custom token when not selected', function() {
       var results = simulateTokenInput(this.component, "abzz");
-      var input = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+      var input = this.component._typeahead._entry;
       var tokens = getTokens(this.component);
       TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(input, {keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_TAB})
 
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
 
     it('should not select value for a custom token when too short', function() {
       var results = simulateTokenInput(this.component, "abz");
-      var input = this.component.refs.typeahead.refs.entry;
+      var input = this.component._typeahead._entry;
       var tokens = getTokens(this.component);
       TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(input, {keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_TAB})
 
@@ -479,7 +479,7 @@ describe('TypeaheadTokenizer Component', function() {
       />);
 
       assert.notOk(ReactDOM.findDOMNode(component).classList.contains("tokenizer-typeahead"));
-      assert.equal(false, component.refs.typeahead.props.defaultClassNames);
+      assert.equal(false, component._typeahead.props.defaultClassNames);
     });
   });
 });
diff --git a/test/typeahead-test.js b/test/typeahead-test.js
index b01bacec..d52343a6 100644
--- a/test/typeahead-test.js
+++ b/test/typeahead-test.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ var Keyevent = require('../src/keyevent');
 var TestUtils = require('react-addons-test-utils');
 
 function simulateTextInput(component, value) {
-  var node = component.refs.entry;
+  var node = component._entry;
   node.value = value;
   TestUtils.Simulate.change(node);
   return TestUtils.scryRenderedComponentsWithType(component, TypeaheadOption);
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       it('down arrow + return selects an option', function() {
         var results = simulateTextInput(this.component, 'o');
         var secondItem = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(results[1]).innerText;
-        var node = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_RETURN });
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       it('up arrow + return navigates and selects an option', function() {
         var results = simulateTextInput(this.component, 'o');
         var firstItem = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(results[0]).innerText;
-        var node = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_UP });
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       it('escape clears selection', function() {
         var results = simulateTextInput(this.component, 'o');
         var firstItem = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(results[0]);
-        var node = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         assert.ok(firstItem.classList.contains('hover'));
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_ESCAPE });
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       it('tab to choose first item', function() {
         var results = simulateTextInput(this.component, 'o');
         var itemText = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(results[0]).innerText;
-        var node = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_TAB });
         assert.equal(node.value, itemText);
       });
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       it('tab to selected current item', function() {
         var results = simulateTextInput(this.component, 'o');
         var itemText = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(results[1]).innerText;
-        var node = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_TAB });
@@ -124,14 +124,14 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       it('tab on no selection should not be undefined', function() {
         var results = simulateTextInput(this.component, 'oz');
         assert(results.length == 0);
-        var node = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_TAB });
         assert.equal("oz", node.value);
       });
 
       it('should set hover', function() {
         var results = simulateTextInput(this.component, 'o');
-        var node = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         assert.equal(true, results[1].props.hover);
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
         this.sinon.restore();
       });
       it('focuses the typeahead', function() {
-        var node = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(this.component.refs.entry);
+        var node = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(this.component._entry);
         this.sinon.spy(node, 'focus');
         this.component.focus();
         assert.equal(node.focus.calledOnce, true);
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
         />);
 
         var results = simulateTextInput(component, 'john');
-        var node = component.refs.entry;
+        var node = component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_TAB });
 
         assert.equal(node.value, 'George');
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       })
 
       it('should not display custom value if input length is less than entered', function() {
-        var input = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var input = this.component._entry;
         input.value = "zz";
         TestUtils.Simulate.change(input);
         var results = TestUtils.scryRenderedComponentsWithType(this.component, TypeaheadOption);
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       });
 
       it('should display custom value if input exceeds props.allowCustomValues', function() {
-        var input = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var input = this.component._entry;
         input.value = "ZZZ";
         TestUtils.Simulate.change(input);
         var results = TestUtils.scryRenderedComponentsWithType(this.component, TypeaheadOption);
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       it('should call onOptionSelected when selecting from options', function() {
         var results = simulateTextInput(this.component, 'o');
         var firstItem = ReactDOM.findDOMNode(results[0]).innerText;
-        var node = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_UP });
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       })
 
       it('should call onOptionSelected when custom value is selected', function() {
-        var input = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var input = this.component._entry;
         input.value = "ZZZ";
         TestUtils.Simulate.change(input);
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(input, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       })
 
       it('should add hover prop to customValue', function() {
-        var input = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var input = this.component._entry;
         input.value = "ZZZ";
         TestUtils.Simulate.change(input);
         var results = TestUtils.scryRenderedComponentsWithType(this.component, TypeaheadOption);
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       });
 
       it('adds a custom class to the typeahead input', function() {
-        var input = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var input = this.component._entry;
         assert.isTrue(input.classList.contains('topcoat-text-input'));
       });
 
@@ -367,13 +367,13 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
 
       it('adds a custom class to the option anchor tags', function() {
         var typeaheadOptions = TestUtils.scryRenderedComponentsWithType(this.component, TypeaheadOption);
-        var listAnchor = typeaheadOptions[1].refs.anchor;
+        var listAnchor = typeaheadOptions[1]._anchor;
         assert.isTrue(listAnchor.classList.contains('topcoat-list__link'));
       });
 
       it('adds a custom class to the list items when active', function() {
         var typeaheadOptions = TestUtils.scryRenderedComponentsWithType(this.component, TypeaheadOption);
-        var node = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var node = this.component._entry;
 
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
 
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
           value={ 'John' }
         />);
 
-        var input = component.refs.entry;
+        var input = component._entry;
         assert.equal(input.value, 'John');
       });
     });
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
           }
         />);
 
-        var input = component.refs.entry;
+        var input = component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(input, { keyCode: 87 });
       });
     });
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
           }
         />);
 
-        var input = component.refs.entry;
+        var input = component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyPress(input, { keyCode: 87 });
       });
     });
@@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
           }
         />);
 
-        var input = component.refs.entry;
+        var input = component._entry;
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyUp(input, { keyCode: 87 });
       });
     });
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
           inputProps={{ autoCorrect: 'off' }}
         />);
 
-        var input = component.refs.entry;
+        var input = component._entry;
         assert.equal(input.getAttribute('autoCorrect'), 'off');
       });
     });
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
         simulateTextInput(component, 'o');
 
         assert.notOk(ReactDOM.findDOMNode(component).classList.contains("typeahead"));
-        assert.notOk(ReactDOM.findDOMNode(component.refs.sel).classList.contains("typeahead-selector"));
+        assert.notOk(ReactDOM.findDOMNode(component._sel).classList.contains("typeahead-selector"));
       });
     });
 
@@ -572,7 +572,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
           />);
           var results = simulateTextInput(component, 'john');
 
-          var node = component.refs.entry;
+          var node = component._entry;
           TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_DOWN });
           TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(node, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_RETURN });
 
@@ -607,7 +607,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       });
 
       it('should show the customListComponent when the input is not empty', function() {
-        var input = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var input = this.component._entry;
         input.value = "o";
         TestUtils.Simulate.change(input);
         var results = TestUtils.scryRenderedComponentsWithType(this.component, this.ListComponent);
@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
       });
 
       it('should no longer show the customListComponent after an option has been selected', function() {
-        var input = this.component.refs.entry;
+        var input = this.component._entry;
         input.value = "o";
         TestUtils.Simulate.change(input);
         TestUtils.Simulate.keyDown(input, { keyCode: Keyevent.DOM_VK_TAB });
@@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
           textarea={ true }
         />);
 
-        var input = component.refs.entry;
+        var input = component._entry;
         assert.equal(input.tagName.toLowerCase(), 'textarea');
       });
 
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
           options={ BEATLES }
         />);
 
-        var input = component.refs.entry;
+        var input = component._entry;
         assert.equal(input.tagName.toLowerCase(), 'input');
       });
     });
@@ -677,7 +677,7 @@ describe('Typeahead Component', function() {
           />
         );
 
-        TestUtils.Simulate.focus(component.refs.entry);
+        TestUtils.Simulate.focus(component._entry);
         var results = TestUtils.scryRenderedComponentsWithType(component, TypeaheadOption);
         assert.equal(4, results.length);
       });