Slow-to-see

[chonky]

Hi everyone. My 3-month dd has just been diagnosed as being 'slow to see', which means that she's currently blind but 'hopefully' she'll switch on her vision in the next month or so. No definites, as she's also being investigated at the mo for other potential probs (we've already had MRI scan, EEGs & blood tests) and we have to go back to hospital next week for a 24hr EEG and more blood tests.

Does anyone else have a babe with sight problems? I'm struggling to keep her entertained as my voice obviously gets very dull (boring old mummy) after a while. We've tried a sheepskin for the touchy feeliness of it, baby massage, bells on a chain, bouncy chair, lullabies, nursery rhymes and I'm now running out of distractions! Any ideas please?

[heartinthecountry]

Ah yes, portage would be good... in our area you can self refer which may be quicker than waiting for a GP/Paed to do it. Infact portage then referred us to other services before the hospital were prepared to do so.

[hmb]

Do you have a local toy library? If so they may well have a range of SN sensory toys. Cheaper than buying and it will also help to give you more ideas.

[Fio2]

its the portage website!

[Fio2]

why dont you ask to be reffered for portage? Portage is a home education service and usually a play therapist or similar will visit your home once a week and 'play' with your babe, give you ideas and lend you toys! Its brill I will go and find the site for you now

[Jimjams]

Also you could try giving BIBIC a ring. They provide sensory programmes for children- may be able to gve you some tips....

[heartinthecountry]

Hi Chonky - sounds like you've thought of lots already... I don't have any expertise or experience but I would have thought lots of different sensory things can only be good, so I would try lots and lots of different textures (you can get some really good touch and feel books that you could run her hands over) and more things that make different sounds. I'll have a look in some of my special needs equip catalogs and see if there is anything there. Have you been referred to a visual impairment therapist? they might have ideas.