blindisms

Noun

blindism (plural blindisms)

1. An idiosyncratic behaviour associated with blind people.
   • […] prolonged stay at [asylums] will unfit [the blind] in a great measure for [the actual active world]. Certain peculiar habits are too likely to be acquired, harmless enough in themselves and useful to sightless persons when together, but which attract attention and stamp one as odd in the...1887 November, Edward B. Perry, “Education of the Blind―II: The Blind as Students”, in The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, volume XXXV, number 1, New York: The Century Company, page 163
   1. A stereotypy characteristic of blind people, such as eye-rubbing or hand-flapping.
      • He frequently has ‘blindism’ habits. His joints are usually lax, and his muscles flabby, and it is still more deplorable that he often has no joy in movement, and his emotional and muscular energy find a blind alley output in finger tappings, head shakings, body rockings, etc.[…]1938, Ontario Department of Education, Report of the Minister of Education, Toronto, page 81