reading glasses for kids?

[starfishmummy]

Ds is 14 with complex needs. He is short sighted and wears glasses, last autumn at his eye test he was also given a magnifying dome for reading. He's still on oxford reading tree so the print isn't exactly tiny anyway.

Today at his annual review the teacher was saying how difficult using the magnified is, as it only magnified a very small part of the page at one time.
She has asked about reading glasses.

So does anyone have experience of getting reading glasses for a child? He is not seen by a high street optician

Sorry - fat fingers on my phone!

DS has his eyes tested at the hospital and is not due to go for another 8 or 9 months, so Id have to ring to see if we can get an extra appointment. Over the counter reading glasses would be too big as he is tiny for his age.

starfish I am an optometrist.
To be honest, it sounds to me as if he may have been prescribed the magnifier as ordinary reading glasses would not give enough magnification. They are usually given if someone has quite low vision.
If I were you, I would do one of two things: either phone the hospital where he was tested and ask about whether reading glasses would help or have him assessed by a good optometrist who is experienced with children with special needs.
BABO is an association of optometrists who would regularly see children with SNs and would be used to looking after them.

what chipmonkey said The other thing you can do is try speaking to the QTVI (qualified teacher of the visually impaired) for your area, or ask school to get them involved. They can usually be found somewhere on your council website under education, possibly as part of a sensory impairment service or similar wording.

Thanks both.

A "visual" teacher from sensory support did work with him at one point so I think a chat with them might be a good starting point (I'd forgotten them!).
And I will ring the hospital.

Tbh I think the issue of the dome only magnifying part of the page is more the teacher's problem than his; don't know why she has a bee in her bonnet re reading glasses as I think they would be hard for him to cope with anyway (he wears glasses for distance, so would need to keep changing them over which I can't see happening).

sound like you need to see a specialist optometrist or behaviour optometrist used to visual weaknesses. Usual high street optician usually doesnt have the required tests.
look on internet for your local one - they are not cheap but visual skills may be the reason why your child isnt reading properly - reading is paramount to accessing all areas of the curriculum so money well spent.
good luck