Impact of Early Intervention on Concept Development of Children with Visual Impairment

Vision is the primary sensory system and the master of all senses. The ability to use vision is very important for independent functioning and in performing most behaviour within each developmental area. Visual impairment has complex effects on the entire development of the child influencing all areas of behaviour and perception. When a mere look brings a lot of information to the sighted child a visually impaired child takes longer time to become aware of his surroundings. Blindness in children can dramatically alter the way they relate.  By its very nature, the lack of vision affects the child’s relationship with other people, between objects, everything from visual gaze to attention. For children with blindness to move skillfully, efficiently and independently it is necessary for them to develop a variety of concepts. These children, therefore require specific learning opportunities to develop concepts related to position, location and distance from themselves and as related to objects in the environment. Concept development and sensory awareness begin in infancy and continue to develop throughout a child’s life. We need to provide activities and opportunities which are rich and varied to help develop concepts and skills. Since concept development reaches into all areas of a child’s life, all individuals in that child’s life, share common goals in concept development. Concepts are not taught in isolation, but consistently throughout the child’s life. Thus an attempt has been made in this study to provide early intervention to instill confidence in the child, thereby encouraging and motivating the child to reach higher goals.