The paper reviews research on the development of communication in visually and mentally handicapped persons. Communication difficulties are traced from the preverbal stage, through imitation and turn-taking, visual co-orientation and objects, and the effects of visual loss on early development. The added impact on a mentally handicapped person of…

The review synthesizes viewpoints on functions of play and provides an overview of information on effects of visual impairments on play patterns. The importance of play in learning is stressed. Specific needs for research on the play behavior of young children with low vision are identified. (Author/CL)

Provision of library service to the blind and visually impaired and the development of standards for libraries providing this service are reviewed. The development of guidelines for libraries serving the deaf and hard of hearing is also discussed. Thirty-one references are cited. (EJS)

Contends that improved visual screening techniques can identify gross visual problems, but reading professionals should be aware of their limitations. (FL)

The article identifies three approaches for the study of braille reading, describes some examples of the approaches, and makes some suggestions for future research. (Author/PHR)

Using the cognitive theory of Jean Piaget as a base, an overview of the conceptual development of space is presented as it occurs in sighted children to provide a framework for studying notions of space in blind children. (Author/PHR)

Focuses on the impact of severe visual impairment on the development of play skills that facilitate concept development and discusses interventions that can enhance play experiences for infants and young children with severe visual impairments. Strategies encourage intrinsic motivation, spontaneity, active engagement, positive effect,…

The article reviews the literature on growth and development, home environmental measures, and their interrelationships with children who are visually impaired. Noted are measures which can aid parents and educators in determining the form that early intervention strategies should take. (Author/DB)

Reviews literature concerning Down Syndrome, visual impairment, and cerebral palsy in children. Emphasizes the continued need for advances in intervention strategies and technology and the more general need for methodological rigor in research. (RJC)

This article describes the physiological mechanisms involved in three-dimensional depth perception and presents a variety of distance and depth cues and strategies for detecting and estimating curbs and steps for individuals with impaired vision. (Author/DB)

This article shows the usefulness of understanding visual behaviors in the diagnosis of various types of visual impairments that are due to ocular and cortical disorders. Behaviors discussed include nystagmus, ocular motor dyspraxia, head position, close viewing, field loss adaptations, mannerisms, photophobia, and abnormal color perception. (JDD)

Discusses the prevalence of people with visual impairment and trends affecting prevalence, including increased overall populations and a growth in the older population, greater ability to preserve lives of high-risk populations, improved fitness, medical advances in prevention, expanding role of computers among other increasing visual demands, and…

Three papers address the competency based teacher education (CBTE) movement, particularly as it relates to teachers of the visually handicapped. In the fist paper, I. Holman and G. Scholl review some of the activities related to CBTE in regular, special, and visually handicapped education to determine current status of the field, to identify major…

The report describes the planning, organization, and provision of special education in Finnish comprehensive schools (for students from 7 to 16 years old). School officials address the following topics: relationship of special education to overall school reform, curriculum development, the education of the visually and aurally handicapped, numbers…

Trends in the education of the gifted handicapped student are briefly reviewed, three model projects funded by the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped (now the Office of Special Education) are described, and several devices to aid the gifted handicapped are pointed out. (SB)