becoming my own visual impairment team

[amanda_lalonde]

hi all, I just asked my dr. if anything like what you guys discuss(the visual impairment team ) exists in Canada because I've never heard of it and he said Hes never heard of it either and that most parents in this area with children with any kind of condition become there own childs advocate. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what things to tell teachers(in a couple years) but daycare providers and family watching her for now? What kind of things do the visual impairment teams tell the teachers?

[kathy williams]

Hello!

In the Uk VI disability teams have developed since my time but the person who knows most aboput Anna is you, and Anna. As she gates older you will be able to tell what her strengths are . To begin with it will be her socialisation which is most important. And she is just beautiful, and will makwe friends, and lay and that is the start! Listen to het too. She will gradually tell you about the way it is for her!

Best wishes,

Kathy

[chatty cathy]

Hy in my sons case he is 7 they have someone who comes into school and they test to see what his mear ditance is and far,they will ive advice to the teaching staff like where he is best seated in classroom,the lighting,how he willaess resources ie books,computer he uses a sloping board for reading and also what size font it is that he can see. Hope this helps.

[Sofie]

When your child gets their eyes tested, the person doing it may be able to give you some suggestions as to the type of help/support your child may need. This is what they did with me.

[tony dunn]

If your child needs glasses they may help. - dont know how they test for such a young age though. I was tested & had glasses when I was 4 yrs old. Cant remember what sort of eye test it was though.

[kathy williams]

Everey Local Authority and Education Authority has a VI team,. even if they are hard to find!

There are orthoptists ansd teachers of the VI child. In our bit of the Midlands there is also specialist provision for impaired small children in specialist nurseries.

The services are not as well integrated as in some other countries, but they are there.

Nystagmus Network also provides advocacy for parents in relation to schooling and statementing.

Go to http://www.nystagmusnet.org