Development and Education of Blind and Low Vision Children

It is important to understand the factors that impact development in blind and low vision children. In comparison to their sighted peers, little formal research has occurred to explore the unique developmental patterns of students with visual impairments. A lot of information is based upon anecdotal data as well as observation of blind and low vision students.

There are differences in development for blind and low vision students when compared to their sighted peers. The differences will depend upon several factors, including:
•    Degree of vision loss
•    Age of onset
•    Early intervention
•    Opportunities for experiential learning
•    Complexity of co-occurring medical/neurological issues

In the next few chapters, we will discuss the impact of blindness and low vision on various areas of development.