Foreword

This booklet is a guide for parents and is designed to help you to better understand your child’s visual impairment and where to go for help and services.

Your primary care physician or pediatrician can help you in accessing needed supports and information. Your doctor can then recommend an ophthalmologist or optometrist in your area who can further assist in evaluation and diagnosis. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor if you have questions or concerns.

This booklet will address basic information on the types and degree of visual impairment, including visual acuity, visual field, and ocular motor concerns. It will also review the most common causes of eye conditions. Although it can be frightening to learn that your child has a visual impairment, you should expect him/her to do well when given the needed supports and services.

The rate and range of developmental milestones do vary somewhat in children with visual impairments and this book is designed to give you a guideline for what to expect from your child. It will also give you ideas that you can start working on to promote your child’s use of vision.

Children with visual impairments vary in their skills based on the degree of visual impairment, the type of eye condition, and other developmental concerns. It is important to start early in stimulating your child’s vision as well as other senses, such as hearing and touch, in order to help your child develop to his/her full potential. Resources and supports are included which can help you to find appropriate services for your child. A glossary of terms is available in the back of this guide.