Summer offers most young people additional free time due to fewer academic responsibilities. The season is ripe for your child who is blind or low vision to develop and maintain friendships through planning and attending get-togethers. Consider with me who your child can meet up with, any social skills needing improvement, and any accessibility concerns—all … Continued
If your child has been diagnosed with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH), you are not alone! According to Dr. Borchert for The MAGIC Foundation, Optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) is the leading cause of blindness in infants and children. Joanna Mathewson recalled her young daughter’s diagnosis of ONH in Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, Part 1: Joanna and Chrissa’s … Continued
We’re thankful you frequent the APH FamilyConnect blog to gather resources and instructional ideas, and to reflect on how to empower your child who is blind or visually impaired to set their expectations high and reach their goals. We understand, however, that while the APH FamilyConnect blog is a robust resource, it has a limitation—it … Continued
If your child has been diagnosed with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH), you are not alone! According to Dr. Borchert for The MAGIC Foundation, Optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) is the leading cause of blindness in infants and children. Let’s look at a brief summary of ONH and listen to a mom share her story of her … Continued
In “Illuminating the IEP, Part One”, Ms. Carlton Anne Cook Walker communicated the purpose of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), reminding us that the “IEP” is designed to set forth the way a school will meet the educational and disability-related needs of the child. If your school-age child has one or more disabilities including blindness or visual impairment, an appropriate education may include: The general education … Continued
What does a parent or caregiver need to know about the IEP process? So far we’ve looked at the purpose of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP): An “IEP” is designed to set forth the way a school will meet the educational and disability-related needs of the child. We’ve also looked at the components of an IEP meeting, including what will be discussed and … Continued
by Carlton Anne Cook Walker If you are the parent or family member of a child or teen who is blind or has a visual impairment, you have (hopefully) heard the term IEP. Three letters: I, E, and P can engender a wide range of emotions – in parents, in teachers, in administrators, and even in children. Before diving … Continued
Have you ever thought about how people learn? As I have written on previously (for instance, in the blog Explore an Orchard with Your Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired), and as you have no doubt witnessed in your own learning endeavors and when teaching your child(ren), individuals learn when they are able to make connections. People aren’t blank slates on which we simply download or impart information; individuals understand concepts … Continued
Imagine you are shopping for groceries, safely crossing a street, playing with your child at the park, utilizing an elevator, or completing a routine job task. You’re accomplishing what you have successfully accomplished for so many days and years. Your arm is clutched by a well-meaning individual wanting to “rescue” you, or you hear, “I’ve … Continued
Perhaps you are here today with apprehension or concern, eager to learn how your child will travel when blind or visually impaired and using a wheelchair (whether full-time or part-time). You aren’t sure how orientation and mobility (travel training for individuals who are blind or visually impaired) will work when your child isn’t walking. Is … Continued