Analysis of interview results were used to compare the perceptions of mothers (N=16) of infants (half typically developing, five with low vision, and three with blindness). Although all parents reported similar levels of receptive understanding, parents of infants with low vision or blindness reported less expressive preverbal communication.…

The article describes the Parent and Toddler Training Project, a research-based early intervention program for visually impaired and blind multihandicapped infants, toddlers, and their families in the Western Pennsylvania area. Project purposes include increasing infant social responsiveness, developing parenting skills, reducing family…

Parents (n=52) of blind and partially sighted infants and preschoolers were surveyed concerning the frequency of occurrence and stability of the children's stereotyped behaviors. Stereotyped behaviors frequently observed in blind children proved to be stable, whereas other stereotyped behaviors were less stable. Age of child and frequency of…

Israeli legally blind infants and children (N=182) between the ages of 6 months and 5 years were systematically assessed over a period of 13 years. Behavioral problems were documented in 49%. The most frequent disorders were anxiety disorders, oppositional disorder with or without attention deficit hyperactivity, and avoidant disorder with or…

This literature review examines the development and early language acquisition of infants with blindness or visual impairments. The paper begins with a history of public perceptions of individuals with visual disabilities, efforts to develop educational programs for them, and legislation supporting these efforts. Review of the literature on early…

Intended for use in Florida training programs for caregivers of infants and toddlers with disabilities, this guide presents an overview of the Model of Interdisciplinary Training for Children with Handicaps (MITCH); offers a user's guide to the series; and provides specific information for presenting Module 12, which focuses on visual impairments.…

Special education is now an established part of public education in the United States--by law and by custom. However, it is still widely misunderstood and continues to be dogged by controversies related to such things as categorization, grouping, assessment, placement, funding, instruction, and a variety of legal issues. The purpose of this…