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Raising a Visually Impaired Child


New: FamilyConnect articles now available in Spanish! On FamilyConnect you'll find videos, personal stories, events, announcements, and an online community to help you guide your child to the life he or she wants.

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Community
Community Sometimes no one can relate to you as well as another parent of a visually impaired or blind child. Connect with parents who are sharing your experience through our message boards and blog posts. Watch videos featuring parents, siblings, and children with visual impairments. Or, learn about events in your area where you can meet with each other in person. "A Parent's Voice" Blog
"Ask the Experts" Blog
Infants & Toddlers
Infants & Toddlers Babies are wonderful, but they don't arrive with a set of instructions! Like all parents, parents of babies who are blind or visually impaired have a lot to learn. But there are many services and sources of help. Find out about them—and much more—here.
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Preschoolers
Preschoolers As the parent of a preschooler, you're facing a whole new set of questions: How can I help my child socialize? How can I prepare him for a classroom environment? Find the answers to your questions here, and connect with other parents of preschoolers who are blind or visually impaired.
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Grade Schoolers
Grade Schoolers It's an exciting time in your child's life. Your child is growing more independent, but she still relies on you. Learn how to advocate for your blind or visually impaired child as a student, a medical patient, and an individual.
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Teenagers
Teenagers From dating to discipline to college preparation, the teenage years bring a whole new set of issues. Get tips and information about raising teens who are blind or visually impaired and preparing them for a full and independent future.
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After the Diagnosis
father kissing daughter's head Whether your child is a newborn, a grade schooler, or a teenager, learning that she has a visual impairment can be a shocking event that affects you and your entire family. If you're feeling a wide range of strong emotions, and confusion as well, you're not alone.
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Education
two girls in classroom, one reading braillenote When a child has a visual impairment, learning and development may need to be helped along the way. Intervention, encouragement, and special educational planning therefore become an essential part of the school years.
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Technology
teenaged girl using braille pda Technology is everywhere in today's society—learn more about the assistive technology that helps children who are blind or visually impaired read, learn, and increase their independence.
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Multiple Disabilities
mom, son, and grandmother smiling. Son is in a wheelchair A child with multiple disabilities has more than one diagnosis, in this case a visual impairment and at least one other disabling condition. Depending on your child's abilities and needs, you may find articles here that give you ideas on many topics including communication, socialization, orientation and mobility, and transition, to name a few.
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Toy Guide
Cover of Let's Play: Guide to Toys 2008 - a boy wearing a flying hat and goggles and a red cape spreading his arms out to the side Let's Play: A Guide to Toys for Children with Special Needs offers a comprehensive guide to the best toys for children of all ages with all types of special needs and interests. Toys included in this guide were tested by over 100 "toy experts"—children with a variety of special needs.
About FamilyConnect
Collage of families and children FamilyConnect is a web site created by AFB and NAPVI to give parents of visually impaired or blind children a place to support each other, share stories and concerns, and find resources on raising their children from birth to adulthood.