Children's Services

A child with a vision impairment needs assistance to develop good physical co-ordination, independent movement, social skills and daily living skills.

Children’s Services aim to enable each child, blind or vision impaired, to achieve their full potential. Most of the work is carried out in the child’s home and the community. Services are provided free of charge.

We can:

• Develop an individualised program of activities to develop the child’s skills, based on visual and developmental assessments.
  
• Provide support and specialist information to families, child care centres, play groups, schools and other service providers.
  
• Offer skills training in group activities.
  
• Provide a forum for parent discussion groups.
  
• Offer book and toy library.
  

The Team

• The orthoptist or optometrist assesses the child’s visual capability and recommends ways to help the child make the best use of vision. They help parents understand their child’s vision impairment.
  
• The mobility instructor teaches the child to move around safely and independently.
  
• The occupational therapist advises on development of fine motor skills (use of hands and manipulative ability), self help skills (like eating, dressing, cooking, grooming), social skills and play.
  
• The social worker offers support in dealing with the emotional side of vision loss. Parents and children can be linked to support groups and provided with information about community resources.
  
• The physiotherapist advises on the development of gross motor skills like rolling, sitting, running, crawling and walking.
  
• The recreation officer helps children to participate in sport and recreation at school and in the community.

How to get in touch

Referral to the service can be made by parents or professionals. Initially, a social worker discusses the family’s needs with the child’s parents. If you would like direct contact details for a member of the Children's Services staff, follow the link below for phone, fax and e-mail listings for this Section:

Link to Children's Services staff contact details

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