This investigation set out to develop and validate a systematic, observational methodology to study mannerisms of blind children. A coding procedure was developed and validated employing a set of 34 descriptors with their corresponding definitions. In addition to coding for intensity, direction, synchronization, and order, individual profiles were composed for each of the 24 children, whose visual status ranged from legally blind to totally blind, in the sample. Compilation of these profiles allowed for general trends to be established. The use of this taxonomy enabled a detailed, systematic study of manneristic behavior in blind children.
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