By: Corrie

Corrie — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:32:09 +0000

Amomofelly, we too have navigated the available resources for children with vision problems, and here are a couple of things that we have learned. I had to do this with my oldest daughter first because she has a hearing loss and is in a special preschool program sponsored by our county, so the second time around, it was easier to find out what’s out there for vision impaired kids. We have a lady that comes out to our house once a week from Georgia P.I.N.E.S. (parent infant network for educational services). She works one on one with Ellie, does functional vision tests as well as developmental tests once a year, and then she has a lot of information on things that I can do to help Ellie function on a day to day basis. I have information from her that has listings of nationwide agencies sponsored by each state, I’ll be glad to share. Also, I am currently in the process of filling out paperwork to get Ellie tested to see if she, too, would qualify for a special needs preschool program since Georgia PINES only works with kids until they turn 3. Since Ellie turns three in July, I want to see if she will qualify. You can check with your County School to see if they offer a special needs preschool program. You also may want to see if your PO will write a statement that your Elly may have good vision in her one eye, yet it has to be patched or dropped causing her vision to be significantly reduced, so she may qualify for services regardless. You can ask the vision person that came to your house if that may be a possibility. Also, I would ask her if they have any special events where children with vision problems can attend. For example, we recently were at a special circus performance at Stone Mountain. It was a special one hour show called “Circus of the Senses” which was free for us to attend and was especially geared to children with hearing and vision problems. The coolest thing about it was that at the end of the show, we got to go into the circus arena to touch the animals and the circus performers and see everything up close to make it more real. I don’t know where you live, but I know that this circus travels all over the nation and has these kind of performances in different cities. If you are anywhere near Georgia, I can let you know when they come next year and I can reserve tickets for you to come and see it with your Elly! That’s all I can think of for now, but more might come to mind later.

By: Ann Z

Ann Z — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:34:25 +0000

Thank you! This is fantastic information. Especially the information about the vision specialist that came to visit. Can’t wait to read more…

Comments on: You’re child has a vision impairment, now what???

By: Corrie

By: Ann Z