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Bringing a blind child into the family may mean making a few changes. You should not have to make major changes in your lifestyle, but it is important to be aware of some things you can do to help the blind child and other family members to adjust to the new life you are all living together.
How will the blind child know where things are?
Blind children's orientation skills vary depending on several factors. Many children have some vision which they can use to locate objects or orient themselves to a room. Some children use even small amounts of vision to locate entrances to rooms by observing the changes in light. Encourage the blind child to explore independently, and provide verbal information as he is exploring. Children build their best mental maps when they can explore using methods they have devised. It is best to avoid the temptation to guide the child's hands. Instead, give directions for finding something or, if your child does not yet speak your native language, make your hand available for him to follow.
If your child is hesitant to explore, ask for input from a teacher of the visually impaired or an orientation and mobility instructor. There may be a variety of reasons for hesitancy in exploring.
What kind of things should I tell the blind child?
Always tell the blind child when you arrive or leave the room. Young blind children need verbal information about new textures, objects, sounds, and smells. However, it is important to engage them in verbal interactions so that they develop appropriate use of language. Older children may ask you for information they need.
What about sleep problems
Some blind children experience difficulty in establishing a sleeping schedule which is consistent with that of other family members. Bedtime routines may help. If sleep difficulties persist, try to determine whether the child is uncomfortable or prefers to sleep at a different time, such as in the afternoons. Some parents have found that Melatonin helped their children to "reset their body clocks".
What toys do blind children enjoy?
Your child will have her own tastes for toys. Several toy guides are available from Sarah Jane's.
Where should I go for support?
There are a number of sources of support online as well as offline. The BVI-Parents email group provides support to nearly 300 families living around the world. The National Federation of the Blind has a large organization of parents of blind children. Many local and state chapters of the NFB also have parent groups.
These are just a few suggestions which may be helpful to new families of blind children. More questions are addressed in "What You Should Know About Blindness".
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