What does sensory impairment refer to?

Sensory impairment specifically refers to a difficulty in processing sensory information, which can include impairments in vision, hearing, touch, smell, or taste. Individuals with sensory impairments may have trouble interpreting stimuli from their environment, which can affect their ability to interact with the world around them. This condition can impact everyday functioning and learning, as sensory input is crucial for developing cognitive and motor skills, as well as social interactions.

The other options describe different issues. An inability to communicate effectively may result from sensory impairments but is not synonymous with them. A learning disorder involves difficulties in specific areas of learning and processing information but is distinct from sensory impairment. Brain developmental issues refer to a broader range of neurological conditions that may affect cognitive functioning and are not specifically tied to sensory processing problems. Therefore, the definition of sensory impairment aligns most closely with the ability to process sensory information.