Potential for the Development of Coordination of Movement and Balance in Children with Hearing Impairments in Conditions of Parent-Assisted Training
摘要
This paper presents the results of a preliminary trial of an express exercise program designed to develop motor coordination and posture control in children with auditory and verbal impairments. The program was designed for independent training with parental support. The experimental group included 11 boys aged 4–7 years with grades 2 and 3 sensorineural hearing loss, two of whom used hearing aids. All children experienced difficulties with coordinated movement and maintenance of balance. To overcome these difficulties, an express training program consisting of eight exercises was developed. Parents conducted the training for two months under the remote supervision of a physical rehabilitation specialist. Analysis of video footage obtained during performance of exercises before and after training courses revealed positive changes in motor coordination and vertical posture control in all children in the experimental group. The effectiveness of the program was also confirmed by reports prepared by parents who took part in the trial. These included additional information indicating increased communication and speech activity in a significant portion of children (73% of the group), as well as improved facial expressions. The positive test results, the compact size of the set, and the fact that it can be used successfully in the format of independent work at home allow us to recommend it for use in the support and rehabilitation of children with hearing loss. Experimental evaluation of the set’s impact on motor coordination, balance, and speech communication will be continued with a larger cohort of hearing-impaired children, as well as preschoolers with other developmental disabilities and manifestations of vestibular dysfunction.