[blindkid] O&M for the little ones

[Doreen Franklin]

Eliza
I believe you can go to NFB.org. You want google in on their sight deaf-blind 
orientation -- there is a great article in Future Reflections about it. And I 
agree with getting Joe Cutter's book; I've read it and there are some great tips 
there. 


We put a cane in our daughters hand and I have found for her (she is 6, in 
kindergarten and has had the cane for about 1-1/2 yrs), that a red & white cane 
with a roller tip is good for her as it doesn't get stuck (like in cracks & 
grass). The red & white is great for other people as it indicates to them that 
your daughter does not have normal sight. I thought our daughter would also 
fixate on the red & white but she doesn't notice it when she is using the cane. 
It does tell people though that she does not have their sight and most times, it 
is like the "Red Sea parting" ... I just laugh, but I would rather have that 
than people tripping over her cane. 

Please feel free to email me privately .... am very willing to talk about our 
experiences!

Have a great evening.
 Doreen 




________________________________
From: L <lburns24 at yahoo.com>
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Sent: Fri, December 10, 2010 6:23:12 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] O&M for the little ones

Get Joe cutter's book for independent travel and movement!

On Fri Dec 10th, 2010 4:10 PM EST Eliza Ellett wrote:

> Hello, 
> I have a few questions that I hope some of you may have an answer for. My 
>daughter is almost 2 1/2, she has had 3 separate O&M instructions so far. I 
>really do like her O&M, yet I'm not sure on how I feel about the "walker" they 
>have the little ones use. I have read differing opinions on them being like 
>training wheels, while some say it's completely useless to have them use it. My 

>daughter does have a lot of vision left at the moment, she is about 20/320. She 

>does have a very loved NFB cane we received and has had one since she was about 

>8 mths old, to just get acquainted with. She actually doesn't do so bad with it, 
>
>at least from my observations of a toddler's use. I am worried that the T walker 
>
>she is using now will confuse her later, should I just switch her over to a 
>rigid cane? It does have the metal tip, should I replace it with a rolling tip 
>and should I use a red tip for contrast(even though I'm not sure if she would 
>see it anyways or if it would distract her)? Here's the other question since she 
>
>is moderately to profoundly deaf also, how do I work with her on the sounds of 
>her cane or the lack there of? It seems hearing is a pretty vital point in O&M 
>and I want to prepare her as much as possible before the school system gets a 
>hold of her. Speaking of that, what should I expect for her in terms of therapy 

>in Preschool, she starts the transitioning next month and will start school in 
>August. Does anyone know what assessments, teachers, therapists, &etc I should 
>be making sure they have for her on the Vision side and/or Hearing if you know? 

>She will be placed under DeafBlind on her IEP, I'm making sure of that, so she 
>will get the services she will need, I'm just not sure what to look for and what 
>
>is appropriate. 
>
>
>Thank you for all of your help in advance and  I apologize in advance on jumping 
>
>from one subject to another and not being completely clear on my questions. 
>
>
>Eliza
>
>
>      
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