Gross motor skill performance in children with and without visual impairments--research to practice.

Whitehouse et al. (2013) tested 26 blind kids and 26 sighted kids .

They used the Test of Gross Motor Development to score 12 skills.

Each child did running, jumping, throwing, catching, kicking and balance tasks.

Blind kids scored worse on every skill.

Running, leaping, kicking and catching showed the biggest gaps.

The authors say these four skills should head any motor program.

Schott et al. (2021) looked at the same age group and also found motor trouble.

They add that blind kids struggle to picture body movements in their mind.

So you may need body-image drills before you teach the actual skill.

Park et al. (2025) showed that short BST lessons can teach kicking to autistic young learners.

Their positive result hints that blind kids might also learn if we break the kick down.

Burgio et al. (1986) proved a max-to-min prompt fade can teach a soccer pass to adults with severe ID.

Taken together, the deficit is large but changeable when we use ABA tactics.

You now know which four skills to target first: running, leaping, kicking, catching.

Start with body-mapping games from Nadja et al., then move to Park-style BST for kicking.

Use D et al.’s prompt-fade script for any chained sport skill.

This combo gives you a ready-made motor block for IEPs or after-school clubs.