How to Cope with a Blind or Visually Impaired Diagnosis from Your Child

Опубликовал Admin
27-11-2016, 22:06
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Finding out your child is blind or visually impaired is certainly a challenge.There is no right or wrong way to cope with the news and it can be extremely stressful for you and your family. You might feel a mix of emotions such as sorrow, anger, guilt, confusion, anxiety, or even fear. It's important to understand that these emotions are normal and other parents around the world face the same problem, accepting and coping with their child's diagnosis. There are ways you can balance out your life, and at the same time, deal with your concerns for your blind or visually impaired child.

Steps

  1. Acknowledge your feelings. You'll be feeling a twist of emotions now; From confusion, to fear, to anger, and even sorrow. Understand that all parents react differently to having a child with a visual impairment. Never compare yourself to other family members or criticize yourself to others by the way they're feeling. Having distressed emotions is natural and it's okay to feel the way you feel.
    • Consider writing down how you feel in a notebook so you can acknowledge your feelings and understand how you feel at the moment.
  2. Give yourself some time to adjust. Finding out that your child now has a visual disability can be difficult to soak in and understand. Understand that it will take time for both you and your family to understand the fact that your child has a visual impairment. Every family feels adjusted at different paces so it's normal for it take some time to understand, especially if it's your first time having a child with a visual impairment. While you adjust, find out what steps and procedures you can take to make sure your child has a successful future.
  3. Learn about your child's eye condition. Try to research and learn as much as possible about your child's eye condition. Early intervention teachers and therapists, medical doctors, libraries, the Internet, eye care and low vision specialists, national organizations that serve people with visual impairments, and other families with a child that has a visual disability are good sources you might want to consider from.
    • Ask questions to your child's doctor about your child's eye condition, especially if you're still confused and need a better explanation.
    • Understand that it's normal to ask questions about your child's eye condition and it won't be considered 'silly' or 'weird'. Getting to understand your child's visual impairment will help you cope and accept the diagnosis since you can understand your child better.
  4. Stay connected with family and friends. During this time, getting support from family and friends is important to get the emotional support you need. Coping and accepting a diagnosis from your child is not an easy task. Friends and family members can lift you up when you're down and encourage you to keep going to help support your child.
    • State the facts. When telling your family or friends about your child's visual disability explain clearly about the eye condition. Explain how it effects your child on how they can see. If you'd like to share more info, you can state what you've been learning so far about raising a child who has a visual impairment. Stating the facts will help your family and friends cope with the diagnosis and connect with both you and your child.
    • Let your them know what you want. Tell your family and friends what you need from them. You may want them to accept your child for who they are and treat them like any other child. If you would like them to understand how to interact with your visually impaired child, explain to them exactly what they need to do. You might ask them to talk to your child and explain what they're doing (e.g when they to hug, hold, or pick up your child).
    • Tell them what you don't need. Not all families and friends will be supportive of your child's visual disability. Some will tell you that it was meant to be for you, that you've been the one "chosen," or that they're sorry for your "tragedy." Some might give you advice or 'medical miracles' that you would prefer not to hear. If this the case, tell them straight up that you'd prefer and like them to be a listening ear rather than an advice-seeker.
  5. Find a good listener. Talking to others about the way you feel can be comforting and relieving. Choose a person that you're comfortable around, that is good at validating your feelings, and won't judge you for who you are or the way you feel. A listening ear will be there to understand how you feel, try to bring you back up when you feel down, and even try to help you take the next few steps for both you and your child.
  6. Connect with other families. Reach out to other families that are raising or have raised a child with a visual disability. Other families have faced similar challenges as you and can help you find contacts, current medical and educational information, and other useful resources. They can also offer plenty of emotional support, and proivde you with lots of suggestions, tips, and sources for you and your child.
    • You can connect with other parents by joining The National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI) which is an organization that helps parents find information, get emotional support, and search for resources to help their children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities.
  7. Work with professionals to help your child. Professional organizations, university-affiliated hospitals, and national organizations for the blind and visually impaired are good sources to help work and help your child. Consulting with professionals about your child's eye condition can help you cope with the diagnosis can help you get the support you need.
  8. Form relationships with medical and service providers. Having a trusted group who can provide you with advice and help will help you and your child. It can be useful to have a group of the following professionals:
    • A pediatrician
    • A pediatric ophthalmologist or optometrist
    • A teacher of students with visual impairments
    • An orientation and mobility specialist
    • A physical therapist, a speech and language therapist, or a psychologist (depending on your child's needs)
  9. Keep medical records. Maintain all your child's medical records and files and keep them in a safe plan in your home. Maintain all the files of your child's medical condition and school status. You may want to save copies of:
    • Reports from other consultants or specialists
    • Doctor's reports
    • Correspondence between you and any educational or medical program that you've contacted
    • Copies of your child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP)
    • Results of any assessments from your child
  10. Understand the law. Knowing laws for your child is important and crucial, so you can ensure that your child gets the help and services they need. One of the most important laws in the US are the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Search up and research the laws in your area so you can understand your child's rights.
    • In the US, you can find the local and state legislators and how to reach their neighborhood offices. This can be really useful when you need to contact someone to confirm what your child's rights are under the law.
  11. Take care of yourself. It's important to take care of your child's needs but that doesn't mean you should put yours aside. Don't forget to take care of yourself and to provide yourself with relaxation. Get a good amount of sleep at night, eat nutritious meals, and continue to do the activities and hobbies you enjoy doing. Yes, taking care of your child is important, but you need to remember to take care of yourself as well without feeling guilty.
    • Stop for a moment and take a break. You may want to take a break for a day, week, or even a couple weeks just to catch your breath. Try to cancel any appointments made and take the time to rest.
  12. Always focus on the positive. It is difficult at times to maintain a positive attitude, but it can help make life better and easier for you and your child. Don't focus on what your child can't do, but instead, concentrate on what they can do. Enjoy your child for who they are and accept them. Provide plenty of love, nurture, and lots of playtime on a daily basis with them. Not only will this help their development but it'll help yours as well.

Tips

  • Seek out to intervention services. This type of service can help you and your child with the early stages of their life if they're under the age of three, or help get your child an education if they're older than three years old.
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