Children with hearing and visual impairments
A group of children who experience weakness or deficiency in one of the basic senses – hearing, sight, or both – that directly affects their ability to absorb information, communicate and learn. This sensory impairment affects not only academic aspects but also psychosocial development, often leading to problems interacting with the environment and difficulties in building social relationships. With regard to hearing, hearing impairment can lead to delayed language acquisition, language impairment, and an inability to develop verbal communication skills, which can limit effective participation in educational and social situations. As for visual impairments, they negatively affect visual-spatial learning, limit the ability to navigate safely and independently, and make it difficult to use environmental stimuli necessary for cognitive and social development. In cases of a combination of hearing and visual impairment, the impact of the disorder becomes more complex, affecting all areas of development and increasing the risk of social isolation. To address these challenges, these children need alternative education and parenting methods that are appropriate to the nature of the disorder, such as the use of sign language for children with hearing impairments, Braille for blind children, and prosthetic and assistive technologies that facilitate learning and communication. Psychosocial support also plays an important role in adaptation, as it helps to increase their self-confidence, reduce feelings of isolation and create a more inclusive environment that helps them integrate effectively into society.