title: The assessment of 'vision for development' in severely visually handicapped babies.
abstract: Vision makes a substantial contribution to the pattern and rate of normal development. Considering infant development in 3 phases, global, integrative and specific the most important attributes to vision of development within each phase are discussed. A method for assessment of the aspects of vision most relevant to each child's current developmental needs is described and a philosophy outlined whereby the findings can be represented as a balanced practical prescription for development. The development of the visual system is often delayed in visually handicapped babies; some reasons are put forward and a concern that many may never achieve their potential maximum visual competence is expressed. A method for evaluating the current stage of visual development in a visually handicapped baby is described in which the findings form the starting point of a programme towards achieving maximum visual competence as young as possible.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D006423:Hemianopsia / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*