recommended reading

 

The following books are recommended for parents of young children who are visually impaired. Though by no means a comprehensive list of available material, these books help you better understand you child’s visual impairment and provide you with ways to encourage your child’s growth and development.

About Visual Impairment

Can’t Your Child See? : A Guide for Parents and Professionals About Young Children Who Are Visually Impaired
3rd Ed.
By Eileen P. Scott, James E. Jan, and Roger D. Freeman
Austin, TX: PRO-ED, 1995.
Can’t Your Child See? Provides parents with a foundation in eye anatomy and diagnosis, as well as skills in the area of cognition, independent living, communication, and socialization. The needs of children with multiple disabilities are also addressed.

 

Children with Visual Impairments: A Parents’ Guide
Edited by M. Cay Holbrook, Ph.D.
Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, Inc., 1996.
395 pp.
Intended as a starting point for parents of children with visual impairments, this comprehensive book begins with an introduction to visual impairment and eye conditions and then proceeds to address development, education, daily life, family issues, specialized services, and what you can expect for your child as he/she reaches adulthood. Each chapter was written by a professional or parent in clear, concise language. A very detailed glossary, reading list, and resource guide are also provided.

Play

Look at It This Way: Toys and Activities for Children with a Visual Impairment
By Roma Lear
Woburn, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann, 1998.
129 pp.
Look at It This Way has a wide variety of home-made toys and games to address development in the areas of vision, hearing, touch, and smell. Some of the toys and games can be made/played with instantly others range from “quickly” to “long lasting.” Detailed instructions on creating each item is provided.
 

Play It My Way: Learning Through Play with Your Visually Impaired Child
London: Royal National Institute for the Blind, 1995.
139 pp.
Play It My Way provides parents of young children with helpful hints, strategies, and fun activities designed to encourage their child’s development. It is broken down into the following areas: self awareness and vision; touch; exploration and the use of other senses; eating and drinking; washing, toilet training, sleeping, and dressing; and everyday life.
 

Toys & Play: A Guide to Fun and Development for Children with Impaired Vision
New York: The Lighthouse, Inc., 1995.56 pp.
This book was written for parents, family members, and teachers of children aged birth to 8. It discusses the importance of toys in play, the developmental needs of children with visual impairments, and toys and activities that can help your child meet those needs.