Early motor development of blind children

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the characteristic moto r 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 t he 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 bei ng significant in all 10 motor skills that were examined. This delay emphas izes the major importance of vision as a sensory input modality for the pro cess of sensory- motor development. Conclusion: An adequate stimulating environment and proper parental handlin g could potentially shorten the motor developmental delay but probably not eliminate it entirely.