VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 4
Perreault et al., 2021). The results from the studies indicated that the younger the
age of independent walking the better the participants scored on the motor skills
assessments. If children with deafblindness are learning to walk independently at
much later ages, their development of motor skills and overall motor competence
will also be delayed. Therefore, one of the main takeaways from this research is
the importance of encouraging physical activity and practicing motor skills with
youth with deafblindness at a young age.
In a study by Lieberman and colleagues (2021) six participants with charge
syndrome participated in a six-week motor skill intervention. During the
intervention, youth with CHARGE syndrome practiced motor skills twice a week
and improved their motor skill performance after the intervention. Further
interventions should take place to understand the possibilities of increasing groups'
motor abilities. While this is the only known motor skill intervention for youth
with deafblindness, there have been interventions in youth with visual impairments
(Brian et al., 2020; Githinji et al., 2024; Miedema et al., 2022). The results from
these studies reveal that with practice and experience, motor competence can
improve in youth with visual impairments and deafblindness.
Call to Action: Future Research Desperately Needed
There is a severe lack of research in the area of motor competence and
physical activity. In addition to the home environment, opportunities for physical
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