For practitioners working with children who have visual impairments and additional disabilities (VIAD), fostering effective communication and emotional connections can be challenging. A recent pilot study titled "Bodily-tactile early intervention: a pilot study of the role of maternal touch and emotional availability in interactions between three children with visual impairment and additional disabilities and their mothers" offers valuable insights into how bodily-tactile strategies can enhance these interactions.
The Role of Bodily-Tactile Modality
The study explored the impact of a bodily-tactile early intervention on three mother-child dyads. The findings revealed that mothers who systematically used bodily-tactile modalities in their interactions saw improvements in their children's emotional availability (EA). This approach compensates for the lack of visual cues by utilizing touch as a primary mode of communication.
Key Findings from the Study
- Mothers increased their use of anticipatory cues, noticing responses, and tactile signs during interactions.
- Children were more emotionally available to their mothers during the intervention compared to the baseline.
- The systematic use of bodily-tactile modalities fostered better communication and emotional connections.
Practical Applications for Practitioners
Practitioners can incorporate these findings into their work by encouraging parents to use touch as a primary communication tool. Here are some strategies:
- Anticipatory Cues: Guide parents to use anticipatory touches or movements that inform the child about upcoming actions. This helps children prepare for and engage in interactions.
- Noticing Responses: Teach parents to respond to their children's movements with corresponding touches, reinforcing the child's agency and participation.
- Tactile Signs: Introduce tactile signs adapted from visual sign language to provide children with access to cultural language from an early age.
Encouraging Further Research
This study opens avenues for further research into the benefits of bodily-tactile interventions. Practitioners are encouraged to explore how these strategies can be tailored to individual needs and developmental stages. Additionally, investigating long-term impacts and integrating these approaches into broader therapeutic frameworks could provide deeper insights into enhancing EA in children with VIAD.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Bodily-tactile early intervention: a pilot study of the role of maternal touch and emotional availability in interactions between three children with visual impairment and additional disabilities and their mothers.
