New procedures for the developmental assessment of young children with severe visual handicaps

Abstract

SUMMARY The techniques presented are designed for the developmental assessment of blind or partially sighted babies and young children who may have additional handicaps. The aim is to explore the areas of development which are particularly important for such children, and to use this as a basis for planning a programme of management and early education which can be carried out by the parents in the course of daily living at home. The areas selected are (a) in the motor scale: manipulation, locomotion, and reflex function; (b) in the mental scale: social adaptation, sensorimotor understanding (tactile), exploration of the environment, response to sound and verbal comprehension, vocalization and expressive language. A developmental progression appropriate for visually handicapped children is postulated for each of these areas.