As you know, the computer is one of the main tools used to compensate for vision.

What you may not know is that it can also be a very interesting tool for children who have a visual impairment as well as an impairment associated with it (intellectual, motor, sensory), and this, to:

  • Develop learning
  • Stimulate vision

I hear you say: "children are on their screens enough".

Yes, it's true. I agree with you.

On the other hand, children also learn through stimulation, through interest and like us, they like what "flashes", what is "fun" and what "punch". Not all children obviously, but a majority.

Yes, the computer can be used to stimulate without complexes.

Indeed, thanks to the computer system, it is possible to personalize activities to achieve the objectives targeted by the different professionals.

To be efficient, the objectives related to visual behaviors should be worked on transversally between the different professions.

These objectives can be very simple, for example locating an image and maintaining the gaze or more complex such as locating, fixing + clicking, dragging, dropping.

For the child to achieve his communication objectives, he must be able to work on a communication platform adapted to his visual impairment.

The adaptation will not be the same if there is a loss of visual field, a loss of visual acuity, if the child must point at the screen, use a mouse or a joystick.

Several parameters must be taken into consideration when adapting UPSTREAM to the use of the alternative communication system!

To remember from this text:

  • The computer tool can be used to stimulate vision without complex;
  • Alternative communication platforms can be used with children with visual impairment with associated impairment;
  • Visual stimulation (like communication) can be worked on daily, in an interdisciplinary manner;
  • It is important to consider the visual needs of children by adapting communication materials to facilitate their use by the child.

Among these alternative communication platforms, which would be the most suitable for a child with retinitis pigmentosa with a motor deficiency? For congenital nystagmus with an intellectual development disorder?