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coordination in a child with poor vision

4 replies

bulby · 02/05/2010 19:36

My daughter has one eye that works perfectly and one that works a little bit. She is 23 months and for about 9 months her good eye has been covered by a patch. This has really held her back in terms of her mobility. I see kids half her age climbing ladders etc but she needs to hold my hand on any surface that is not perfectly smooth. If at the end of the path there is grass she can recognise a change in the surface but cannot work out if there is a step or not which I assume the lack of binoccular vision is not helping. She is very bright and forward in all other ways but I can now see her confidence is getting knocked.....just crossing a door threshhold requires a death grip!
I realise that there are children out there with far worse problems but was wondering if anyone had any advice for me.
cheers

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jardy · 02/05/2010 20:05

Ask your lea`s mobility officer to assess and advise.If there is none then contact rnib and henshaws.You should be receiving help for this.
Meanwhile,build your little girls confidence up by taking her to the park,buy or borrow large equipment for the backgarden.Highlight all edges with fluorescent tape and give her lots of practice.With lots of opportunities,your little girls confidence will come.She is only a baby and she will catch up.Good Luck,she sounds lovely.

kittycat68 · 02/05/2010 22:19

Hi i have a child is now 15 and has poor vision in one eye also. Just wanted to let you know things do get better with mobility they just need to get the confidence i found my boy liked to push a dolls push chair around as it gave him stability and sensory input steps are a big problem but they just have to learn how to do it there is no easy way im affraid its slow but they do manage to do it like all things just a bit latter than thosse who can see well, i always said the word step when we had to go up each step and they pick it up quite quick going down is a bit more stricky! suggest a symbol cane just so others around know you have a child with vision difficulites and they tend most of the time to give them more room to get around also insist on using handrails where ever possible and install some handles in your home wherever there is a step this helps as well, whilst its easier and more peace of mind for you to hold there hand it will delay they self confidence with steps.

spur · 03/05/2010 17:07

My dd is 28 months now - she sounds similar to your dd. My dd has other issues too and they have not been able to get to the bottom of why she has problems walking over uneven surfaces and textures. 6 months ago she would have stopped to investigate a change in colour of floor surface...even if its flat.

DD now is much better but still spends lots of time practicing steps, rugs, mats.....its as though she needs to feel the depth as she does not trust her sight.

We have had lots of physio and luckily have had sessions in a soft play room. SO falling over doesnt hurt! This has made a huge difference and we are amazed at her progress over the last month. You should be getting help to support your dd's development at home.

If your daughter has had a patch over her good eye. I am assuming it will take time to catch up....

Try not to compare to other kids....I know its hard.

Also I see other poster has mentioned letting go of your dd's hand - this was a huge turning point for us. It may seem hard but over time her confidence will grow.

bulby · 03/05/2010 19:04

thankyou so much everyone. I think it's just hit me because she is becoming very aware that her vision is poor and that she isn't too mobile.............and I'm aware that with her 'healthy' (but balanced!!!) appetite we need to get her moving about more!

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