Visual Impairment Noninfectious Disease and Disabilities: Physical and Mental Challenges: Visual Impairment (Chapter 31, Lesson 4) Audience: 20 to 50, average 30, year old parents of elementary school-aged children with a visual impairment Ana Acosta, Julie Demeter, Sarah Hunter, Lordfer Lalicon, Samantha Olusczak, Ryan Wisnoski

Outline Visual impairments Challenges/characteristics that are associated with visual impairments Specific needs of children with visual impairments Appropriate coping methods Ways to modify behavior to project positive attitudes

Activities Ice Breaker Evaluation Opportunity Expanding your knowledge

What is Visual Impairment? A term that refers to any condition of the eye in which there is vision loss that cannot be corrected.

Types of Visual Impairment Partially sighted Low vision Legally Blind Totally Blind

How Does Each Level of Impairment See? Partially sighted: 20/70 or less; children cannot read standard newsprint or see expressions on a person’s face. Low vision: vision can be blurry, dark patches, objects appear out of focus. Legally blind: a child can see at 20 feet what a normally sighted person would see at 200 feet. Totally blind: blackness.

Icebreaker Get into groups according to color. Introduce yourselves to group members. Discuss: Parent name Child’s age Child’s visual impairment One thing you would like to learn by the end of the class.

Challenges Mobility Living Independently Computer Access Reading Being informed about daily life

Specific Needs Self Esteem Behavior Management Orientation and Mobility Training Routine Social and Emotional Concerns

Specific Needs Self Esteem Treat your child just as you would treat any other child and respect their views. Give your child encouragement to be independent. When your child struggles, be positive and encourage your child to strive to meet his/her personal goals.

Specific Needs Behavior Management Discipline your child just as you would any other child. Do not feel as if your child’s impairment is causing them to misbehave. Make sure your child understands the rules and consequences of breaking them.

Specific Needs Orientation and Mobility Training Receive O&M training through special education programs. Make sure your child develops gross motor and fine motor skills. Common mobility systems can include: sighted guide, a long cane, and guide dogs.

Specific Needs Routine Meal time: teach your child to search for their food and utensils with scanning techniques. Grooming and hygiene: stress to your child the need to place items in specific locations. Bedtime: keep your children on a routine.

Evaluation Opportunity Specific Needs Social and Emotional Concerns Fitting in: encourage your child to do the same things as their peers. Dating: teach your child sex education and explain gender differences, bodily changes, sexual behaviors, and diseases. Encourage your child to become involved in different activities and clubs. Evaluation Opportunity

Five Negative Feelings of Parents Grief Guilt Resentment Denial

How to Deal With Your Negative Feelings Grief: stop focusing on your child’s disabilities and limitations and shift your focus towards the positive things your child can do. Guilt: stop torturing yourself--visual impairments cannot be prevented; move on and try to help them as much as you can. Resentment: don’t allow it to take over your life—it is natural, but if you dwell on it, you will miss out on positive opportunities.

How to Deal With Your Negative Feelings Denial: gather information about your child and acknowledge information medical professionals have to offer you; keep the best interest of your child in mind. Anger: count to ten, exercise, or take some alone time; eliminating stress will help you focus on your child and be a more positive role model.

Expanding Your Knowledge In your group, review the information card and create a visual representation. Select one group member to present your visual in front of the class. Game Throwers ask a question; receivers answer them

Ways to Modify Behavior to Project Positive Attitudes Echolocation Video Clip

Ways to Modify Behavior to Project Positive Attitudes Use positive reinforcement Do not be over-protective towards the child Encourage the child to try new things

Ways You Can HELP Positive reinforcement Teamwork Accommodating

Summary This power point is an overview of the knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills taught to the parents of visually impaired elementary school-aged children.

Resources available to YOU!!! Community Resources ARC of Alachua County 352-334-4060