The Development Of Social Skills By Blind And Visually Impaired Students

In this examination of the social interactions of children with visual impairments, theory and research are combined to explore how these children can be helped to succeed socially. Innovative practical strategies are provided for educators, researchers, and families on how to assist children in the development of social skills. Qualitative ethnographic approaches demonstrate how classroom teachers can work effectively with individual children and present valuable insights about children's interactions.

"This book expands upon the knowledge base and provides a compendium of intervention strategies to support and enhance the acquisition of social skills and children and youths with visual impairments ... Part 1 ... addresses social skills from a first-person perspective. The second part ... examines how theory seeks to explain social development and influences assessment and practice ... Part 3, ties personal perspectives and theory to actual practice. Finally, Part 4 ... offers numerous examples and models for teaching social skills to students who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabling conditions."--Introduction.

The Classic Edition of this foundational text includes a new preface from Miguel Pérez-Pereira, examining how the field has developed since first publication. The volume provides an in-depth account of blind children's developing communicative abilities, with particular emphasis on social cognition and language acquisition from infancy to early school age. It provides insights into why the development of blind children may differ from that of sighted children and explores development of "theory of mind" and perspective taking in language learning. It also discusses the caregiver–child interaction, research on early intervention and practical strategies for blind children that can assist parents and practitioners. The up-to-date preface discusses recent neurological research and the comparison between the psychological development of visually impaired and autistic children. Language Development and Social Interaction in Blind Children continues to facilitate dialogue between those interested in the study of typically developing children and those interested in the development of children who are blind, and challenges some widely held beliefs about the development of communication in blind children.

Provides an overview of the importance of social competence, and it details the course of social skills development in children in general and in children who are blind or visually impaired in particular.

Early Focus synthesizes and makes understandable the experience of professionals from such fields as: education, orientation and mobility, pediatrics, ophthalmology and optometry, psychology, occupational therapy, and social work. This is a resource for both professionals and parents.

Provides an overview of the importance of social competence, and it details the course of social skills development in children in general and in children who are blind or visually impaired in particular.

This book is aimed at the mainstream class teacher who has little or no experience of providing effective learning experiences for children with visual impairments. It is designed both as an introductory guide to assessment and provision. It also has a strong focus on social interactions, since many teachers are confused as how to help children with visual impairments make friends. The book sets out the basis for addressing the individual with a wide range of visual impairments. Chapters cover: the identification and assessment of aspects of vision visual impairment and individual needs practical advice on the development of concepts, language and literacy and social skills the use of low vision aids, appropriate decor and physical layouts, lighting and IT educational policy and the Code of Practice Drawing on very recent research, this book presents new insights into the needs of children with visual impairments as learners, arguing that it is the quality of the child's social interactions which promotes play, language and learning.

This comprehensive reference source is a state-of-the-art guide to the scientific, clinical, rehabilitative, and policy aspects of vision impairment and blindness. More than 100 original contributions from physicians, therapists, rehabilitation specialists, and policy makers cover everything from the basic science of vision and its diseases to assistive technologies, treatment, and care.