Developmental Checklist for Infants With Visual Impairments

Because of their disability, visually impaired infants develop differently than their sighted peers. These infants commonly lag slightly behind their generally able peers in developing. To ensure that their babies are developing properly in spite of their visual difficulties, parents and care-givers must consider the developmental standards for visually impaired infants specifically rather than compare the child to sighted peers.

Birth to Three Months

• Between birth and three months of age, babies with visual impairment begin to recognize and respond to voice and touch. Infants in this age group commonly recognize and respond to the voice of a caregiver. These young infants can be soothed by voice and touch at this age. When touched, talked to or played with visually impaired infants in this age group generally respond with a smile.

Four to Six Months

• Between the ages of four and six months, visually impaired infants begin to request attention. These infants may cry not out of hunger or exhaustion but rather because they want attention. These cries can commonly be squelched simply by talking to or touching the infant.

Seven to Nine Months

• Infants between the ages of seven and nine months can differentiate between strangers and people with whom they are familiar based on the voice tones of the individuals. They may demonstrate anxiety when being held or talked to by strangers. The infants also begin to exhibit fear when left by a caregiver. Infants in this age range also begin to enjoy playful touch such as tickling or hand waving.

10 to 12 Months

• Visually impaired infants between the ages of 10 and 12 months can use some rudimentary gestures such as waving. These infants commonly cry when their caregivers leave the immediate area. Between these ages the infants commonly learn to identify favorite toys based upon feel and seek out certain toys over others.