Responses of itinerant, resource room, and residential school teachers to a questionnaire regarding adaptive hand function of blind, visually-impaired, and visually/multiply-handicapped 2- to 19-year-olds (N=148) indicated that physiological integrity was not a sufficient condition for development of adaptive hand function, suggesting that manual…

Children and adolescents who had positive Dye Tests for toxoplasmosis had lower performances on all verbal subtests than those with negative Dye Tests. The impairment was comparable to subjects with brain damage. Subjects with congenital sight deficiency and positive Dye Tests showed progressive intellectual impairments. (Author/CM)

Presents a theoretical model of reading that takes into account the principal differences between skilled and deficient readers; describes a study that tested the relevance of the model by comparing good, average, and poor partially sighted readers and by studying how training affected the reading process. (GT)

The study explored the concept of space through the tactual discrimination of household objects in 48 4-to-7-year-old blind, partially sighted, and sighted children. (PHR)

This study investigated the mastery-oriented and learned-helplessness response patterns of children (n=13) with visual impairments in grades 3 to 6 who were divided into two groups, low vision children who were visual learners and nonvisual learners. Subjects were given the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire. No significant…

A survey examined attitudes of teachers toward children with visual impairment and implications for inclusion. Teachers with direct or indirect experience with students with either low vision or blindness held a more positive attitude toward inclusion than randomly selected teachers, but only toward students with low vision. Teachers demonstrated…

This study assesses the validity of an interview questionnaire designed to predict performance by low-vision adults (N=41) on tasks of finding, detecting, scanning, and tracking. Subjects' ratings of difficulty with these tasks were compared to ratings of trained professionals. Results indicate self-report may be of some value in predicting…

This study, involving 20 children (ages 6-12) with legal blindness or partial sight, explored the relationships between ability to read and performance on tasks which require the manipulation of figure/ground relations. Significant differences were found between fluent readers and poor readers/nonreaders on four of the six tasks. No age…

This study compared improvements in visual function of 20 Spanish children with low vision, ages 4 to 6 years. Children received either the Barraga and Morris program or the Frostig program, or placebo control or no treatment. No significant differences between treatment groups were found. (DB)

Initial reading speeds across grades show points at which children with low vision are at risk of developing low literacy skills. Outcome group measures showed that 185 children (grades preK-12) who received optical devices increased their silent reading speeds and comprehension rates. Findings indicate optical devices assist in deciphering text.…

Fifty partially sighted children (7 to 18 years old) were studied along 143 variables to provide a comprehensive profile in the areas of cognitive, psychomotor, academic, and neuropsychological development. The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery was the principal data collection instrument, supplemented by the Stephen's Piagetian Battery…

Reported is an international survey on training and employment opportunities for the visually handicapped. Described are responses to a questionnaire carried out jointly by the Committee on Professional and Urban Employment of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, The International Labor Organization and the Swedish National Labor Market…

The medical evaluation of 165 mentally retarded Australian adults found an average of 2.6 health problems, well above the number in the general population. In order of frequency, conditions found included obesity, ocular impairment, serious dental problems, and aural disorders. Active health promotion with this group is recommended. (DB)

A study investigated whether the reading difficulties of 60 Dutch children with low vision were a matter of reduced visual input or a consequence of a lack of orthographic knowledge. Results indicated that reduced visual input was the only cause of the children's lower reading performance. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This article summarizes results of statistical analyses of an intelligence test for 155 braille-educated blind and low-vision children, aged 6-15, in the Netherlands. Results indicate some accuracy in predicting academic achievement; factor analysis indicates 4 interpretable factors in children with and without usable vision. (Author/PB)