VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN'S VISUAL CHARACTERISTICS AND INTELLIGENCE

Abstract

The results are presented of the mentally normal, visually impaired, Braille-educated population of Dutch and Dutch-speaking Belgian children on verbal and non-verbal tests of intelligence and school achievement. The children were aged between six and 15 years old. Their visual characteristics were strongly inter-related and correlated similarly with the test scores. Colour perception did not contribute to the intelligence test score variation after controlling for near visual acuity. Congenital blindness had a positive influence on verbal memory and a negative influence on spatial ability.