On the Stability of Stereotyped Behaviors in Blind Infants and Preschoolers

Abstract

Parents of blind and partially sighted infants and preschoolers were surveyed at two points in time to determine the frequency of occurrence and stability of the children's stereotyped behaviors and the conditions that elicited the behaviors. The stereotyped behaviors that are frequently observed in blind children proved to be stable, while less frequently observed stereotyped behaviors generally remained in the children's repertoire only for a short time. The age of the child and the frequency of the occurrence of stereotyped behaviors proved to be relevant criteria for predicting whether stereotyped behaviors would stabilize.