Effective communication is essential for full integration in society. Before learning to speak all children are exposed to “prelanguage” – the first step in developing communication skills. “Pre-language” for the seeing child generally involves visual experiences, such as direct eye contact, visual responses to facial expressions, and pointing at various objects. This is followed by interactive activities accompanied by speech. In general, blind and/or visually impaired children have no problem learning to speak clearly, all be it at a slower rate, also through developing pre-language skills. However, the inability to see, therefore interpret body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues, makes it more difficult for the blind child to fully understand and communicate with others. Intervention, in the form of speech therapy, among other therapies provided by ELIYA, is an effective tool in helping such children to communicate clearly and become fully functioning members of society.
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