“Movement is essential to learning. Movement integrates and anchors new information into our neural networks.” From an article entitled, “Why is Movement so Important”, found at http://www.teachingvalues.com/whymovement.html

“Movement experiences provide the organizational structure of the brain. According to Bruce Perry (1996), the psychomotor stimulation during the first 10 years of life is critical for the formation of all the neuronal synapses”. From the Motor Development Research Laboratory found at http://www3.niu.edu/knpe/outreach/mdlr.htm

One of the major impacts of deafblindness is on movement. When there is an impairment of vision and hearing, the motivation to move is greatly decreased. Movement is essential to motor development. “Motor development is more correctly called sensory-motor development because of considerable sensory input which contributes to development.” (Lois Bly, R.P.T.) In “normal” motor development, the child moves and finds something. That encourages the child to explore it and move some more. It is a cycle, movement encourages development and development encourages movement and so on. Motor development is often delayed in children with deafblindness.

Professionals such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and orientation and mobility specialists can help address the delays in motor development. They understand all the steps and stages that children go through in motor development. “Professionals and parents need to work together to give children with deafblindness the experiences and/or adaptations necessary to develop their motor skills to the fullest.” (Georgia Deafblind Project).

Orientation and mobility (O&M) is knowing where you are and how to get where you want to be. Your child needs to be aware of his body image (for example, he need to know that those things at the end of his body are his legs and he can move them, etc.). He needs to be aware of his environment and the things in it. He needs to know how to get from one place to another.

Clues and landmarks are used to help us know were we are. A clue is something (sound, odor, temperature change, visual or tactile) that helps determine where one is. Clues are not permanent. An example could be a dog barking when someone is coming close to it. A landmark is anything (object, sound, visual cue, temperature) that is permanent and lets someone know where they are. An example is the doorknob to the bedroom.

Orientation and mobility specialists can give parents suggestions to find ways to help the child with deafblindness understand where he is and how to get where he want to go.

Some of the things that can be done to aid the child in movement are:
-Provide plenty of opportunities for physical activity. We all need physical activity. You may have to create ways for your child to move.
-Provide opportunities for your child to explore his/her environment. Let the child be as independent as he can and still be safe.
-Provide a variety of surfaces for your child to experience, (carpet, tiled floor, grass, sand, etc.)
-Provide a wide variety of objects or toys for your child to explore. Find ways to keep the object within your child's reach. (Velcro, trays with a lip, attached with strings, etc.)
-Find ways to move with the child, finger plays, movement songs, dancing, walking, etc
-Make sure your child receives feedback on the things he explores and experiences.
-Help your child to use “reference points” (clues that help him know where he is). For example, when the child touches the bed post, he knows where he is. Be consistent with the “clues”
-Make sure your child experiences a variety of positions. Make sure you work with the professionals.
-Adaptive equipment may help your child to move and explore his world better.
-Work with professionals to know what exercises and movements you can do to help your child.

The following links contain articles that explain more about movement, physical activity, motor development and orientation and mobility

“Encouraging Exploration” - A fact sheet from California Deaf-Blind Services

DISH stands for Deafblind Intervention Strategies for the Home,
click here for the intro and index page