Exploration of surface-textures in congenitally blind infants

The haptic exploratory procedures that eight congenitally blind infants aged 8-24 months used to explore a gradient surface texture were investigated. Exploration of the gradient texture was examined over five sessions with 2 weeks between sessions, followed after 1 week by a sixth session, in which exploration of the gradient texture was compared to exploration of two other textures. Results showed that the infants have a wide range of exploratory strategies available and that the older infants can use these strategies in a specific manner. Results are discussed with reference to current ideas about the exploratory possibilities of congenitally blind infants. Use of texture in the stimulation of exploration of blind infants is discussed.