How do visually impaired children watch TV?

In this video, Martin shares how his son, Leo, engages in watching television as a visually impaired child. The key points are summarised below the video.

Video Description

Encouraging Close Viewing

In the Ralfe household, they don’t discourage sitting too closely to the TV. This approach helps their child, Leo, to better engage with the screen with his visual impairment. Leo has a dedicated seat right in front of the television, ensuring he gets the best possible view.

Visual Tracking

The video shows Leo actively tracking a ball as it flies past the net during a football match. This demonstrates that he is receiving some level of visual stimulation. Martin and Sam encourage this by positioning him close enough to the screen to see the action.

Audio Cues

Leo also benefits from audio cues. The video includes a snippet where he excitedly exclaims “look at the yellow ball,” while pointing at the screen. This indicates that he is not only watching but also engaging with what he sees and hears, using audio cues to supplement his experience of the TV as a visually impaired child.

Emotional Engagement

Leo shows clear emotional responses to what he watches. For instance, he expresses disappointment when a team he doesn’t favor scores a goal. This emotional engagement is crucial as it shows that he is connecting with the content on an emotional level, which is important for his overall sensory and emotional development.

Conclusion

Martin highlights that children with visual impairments still enjoy and benefit from watching TV. By adapting their viewing environment and focusing on both visual and audio stimuli, they ensure that Leo can participate in and enjoy activities.