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Meeting the needs of the child and families
- 1. Meeting the Needs of the Child and Families By Aleena Persaud
- 2. About the Family and their Needs • Jose – Age 4 – Has been diagnosed with low vision – An only child – New to the preschool room • Jose’s father – Was transferred at work • Jose’s Mother – Also a working mom • The Family as a Whole – Moved to Toronto from Winnipeg – Two-parent family, one child – Asked about services in the Toronto area
- 3. About Low Vision • Is a impairment in vision that cannot be treated fully with the use of glasses, contact lenses, medication or eye surgery (American Foundation) • Possible Causes of Low Vision – Cataracts, which causes vision to blurry and hazy – Partially obscured central vision due to macular degeneration – Poor peripheral vision, also sign of glaucoma – Can be a birth defect or caused by an injury (American Foundation) • The Impact of Low Vision – May see problems when learning concepts – From an early age, may require special instructions – In regards to socializing with others, may require additional support – Adults and seniors are more commonly effected than children (American Foundation) (2013). In American Foundation for the Blind. Retrieved February 15, 2014, from http://www.afb.org/info/program s-and-services/professional- development/teachers/what-you- need-to-know-about-low- vision/1235
- 4. About Low Vision continued… • Enhancement of learning and development are very dependent on the use of the remaining or residual vision, as well as the senses of touch and hearing, risk of difficulties in all developmental areas are increased and include: – Language and communication skills – Motor skills, fine and gross – Understanding and thought process – Social skills – Emotional development – Self-help (Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services) (2010). In Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services . Retrieved February 15, 2014, from http://www.children.gov.on.ca/ht docs/English/topics/earlychildhoo d/blindnesslowvision/brochure.asp x
- 5. Signs and Symptoms of Low Vision • Swollen or encrusted eyelids • Drooping eyelids • By 3 months: – Does not make eye contact – Does not watch or follow an object • Eye movements lack coordination • Excessive blinking or squinting • Excessive rubbing or touching of eyes • Sensitivity or avoidance of bright lights (Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services) (2010). In Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services . Retrieved February 15, 2014, from http://www.children.gov.on.ca/ht docs/English/topics/earlychildhoo d/blindnesslowvision/brochure.asp x
- 6. Some Tips Regarding Children’s Vision • Children’s eyes should be checked when they are – 3 months old – 3 years old – Then every year or as recommended by optometrist • Eye exams do not require the child to speak or read. • Eye exams are covered by OHIP for children under the age of 19 years old. – One every 12 months for each child • Many signs and symptoms are not always seen which is why eye exams and encouraged. (Toronto Preschool Speech and Language Services) (2010). In Toronto Preschool Speech and Language Services . Retrieved February 15, 2014, from http://www.tpsls.on.ca/blv/ser vices.htm
- 7. Adaptions
- 8. To Support Jose • Add a variety textures to environment (i.e. floors, walls) as well as materials (i.e. toys, puzzles) • More sensory boxes • Enlarge text and pictures around the environment as well as books • Provide text in Braille options • Use a auditory cue to signal transitions • Assign spots at circle time, having Jose sitting closer for better view • Give verbal directions to help Jose, as well as larger visual directions for other children
- 9. To Support Jose’s Family • Provide agencies to support Jose and family • Offer places to visit in the city that they may enjoy as a family as well as help them learn their new home – Include TTC map or driving directions, times of operation, prices, etc. • Inform about the adaptions made to child care centre and suggestion making those adaptions – Also ask family if they have any suggestions they have made at home – Discuss which adaptions are working effectively and which ones are not
- 10. Agencies to Support Jose and his family
- 11. Toronto Preschool Speech and Language Services • Offers services for children who have speech and language, hearing, and blind – low vision impairments • Anyone can be referred • Services available to those who live in Toronto and have diagnosed with being low vision or blind • TPSLS offers the following services – Family Support Services – Early Intervention Services – Child Care Consultation – Public Awareness and Professional/Parent Education Visit website for more information. http://www.tpsls.on.ca/blv/services.htm Located at: 225 Duncan Mill Road Suite 201 Toronto, ON M3B 3K9 Intake # 416-338-8255
- 12. CNIB • Offers a variety of services, including – Rehabilitation and Support Services – CNIB Library – Provides Helpful Product and Assistive Technologies – Independent Living Services – Career and Employment Services – Child and Family Services • Services can be requested online or referrals can be made by family doctor • Services are available free of cost to clients For more information, please visit the website. www.cnib.ca Located at 1929 Bayview Avenue Toronto, ON M4G 3E8 Contact # 416-486-2500
- 13. Self-Reflection
Editor's Notes
- According the Connectability.ca, having sensory boxes is not only enjoyable to make, it can help enhance hand-eye coordination. Connectability.ca has some suggestions that can be made to the physical environment Highlight steps and slanted floors in contrasting colors Keep furniture and well-used toys and materials in the same position or place Displays and shelves should be uncluttered Doors, knobs, light switches, walls, play ground equipment, etc. should be highlighted in contrasting colors as well Possible activity: Make a texture hand for Jose to touch and example the different textures represent different objects For example: Sand paper on the back of chairs only to show where the chair is
- CNIB Library - Access to more than 80,000 books, magazines, movies, and newspapers in a various formats such as Braille and audio Child and Family Services - Includes Braille lessons, peer groups and workshops, provides parents with educational information and workshops, and more
- This assignment requires a focus on learning more about a special need that may be seen in the early childhood field. But it also has a major focus on meeting the needs of child and the family. I really enjoyed working on this assignment and learned a lot about low vision as well as some things about myself. I didn’t really know much about low vision but the research required to complete the assignment taught me a lot about low vision. Having this knowledge will help me as a future Early Childhood Educator as well as an individual. I thought I would have such difficulty thinking of adaptions that could be made to support the child and family. But after doing the research, the thoughts about the changes that could be made came easily. I now know different adaptions that could be made to help support the child in the child care centre as well as at home. I did have some difficulty finding agencies to support both children and families. Many of the agencies I found seemed to provide services for adults. However, I was able to find agencies that provide a wide range of services that support both the children and the families. I was very impress with the services that both of the agencies provide. I would definitely recommend both agencies to families. Having a lot of time between assignment due dates and test dates was a great advantage to completing this assignment. I was given enough time to have others look over my presentation and offer suggestions. The time given was great to have as it gave me time to complete the whole assignment and then go back to review it to ensure I included everything require to be successful in the assignment. Overall, I really enjoyed completing this assignment as it taught me a lot about low vision, make modifications to support children and families, and forced me to think outside the box. The assignment also made me realize that I can make a difference in the lives of a child and their family by being able to support their needs and offer as much as I can to make their lives just a little easier. And if I can make a difference in the lives of a family, then I can also advocate for the need on a larger scale. For example, I found it difficult to find agencies to support children with low vision. Seeing that there is need for ore agencies, I can advocate to have more agencies open to support these families. Such actions can be made by both an individual and group of individuals can be made at the community level, national level, and global level. And realizing that it is easier to support families with special needs at a community level, it is possible to make changes on a national and global level.