Early motor development of blind children

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the characteristic motor developmental pattern in blind children in Israel. Methodology: The study compared the developmental data concerning 10 motor skills of 40 blind children to a control group of sighted children and to the motor developmental milestones of the Bayley Developmental Scale and the Revised Denver Developmental Screening Test. Results: The motor development of blind children was delayed, the delay being significant in all 10 motor skills that were examined. This delay emphasizes the major importance of vision as a sensory input modality for the process of sensory-motor development. Conclusion: An adequate stimulating environment and proper parental handling could potentially shorten the motor developmental delay but probably not eliminate it entirely.