[blindkid] St Augustine School for the Blind

Tue Apr 12 18:32:41 UTC 2011

At least in Georgia, we have found all the schools we have asked are also quite willing to allow tours of the schools on request with just a bit of advanced notice. If possible, I'd try to get a look at what goes on in a typical day as well as what they choose to showcase in more of an "open house" sort of forum like a parent weekend. (Hopefully the two will give a very similar impression...)

On Apr 12, 2011, at 1:38 PM, Doreen Franklin wrote:

> We live in FL and are in the process of applying to FSDB for our 6-yr 
> old/kindergarten daughter for next school year. I have had outreach services 
> thru them from 3-6 yrs old. We are planning a tour of FSDB for May also. 
> Presently in our school district, she has an IEP which is not being implemented 
> ... she is being overhelped and not responsible for numerous "tools" ... she is 
> the exception where she is. We are hoping that being "one of the kids" will 
> definitely be a positive for her. When she has gone to the state and national 
> conventions, she jumps right in and is able to do a "good" cane technique (at 
> school, she doesn't even do a "technique") .... And if you do the "comparison" 
> of reading rate/fluency and writing, she is well below the average for her 
> peers. 
> 
> 
> As an FYI ... they have a parent weekend the end of June to spend the weekend at 
> the school to see what your child will be doing. Info is on their website. 
> 
> 
> Feel free to email me privately ... I have some more info that might help you 
> also. 
> 
>  Doreen 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: janice <jjordan_pa at yahoo.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)" 
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tue, April 12, 2011 1:02:54 PM
> Subject: [blindkid] St Augustine School for the Blind
> 
> Anyone out there familiar with the Florida School for the Blind? I am wanting to 
> enroll my 10 yo daughter in a school for the blind and liked that they boast 75% 
> of their students go on to higher education. I am willing to move to St 
> Augustine or surrounding area.  
> 
> 
> Janice 
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Marie" <empwrn at bellsouth.net>
> Sender: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org
> Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 11:31:05 
> To: 'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,\(for parents of blind 
> children\)'<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Reply-To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,
>     \(for parents of blind children\)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Stages of cane use?
> 
> Funny but it is very reassuring to hear that other kiddos do this too. I
> guess with time they will adapt to this as they adapt to all other things.
> It sure is hard that we can't just make life smooth for them, right? But
> then what kind of people would they grow up to be? such a balancing act!
> 
> Marie (mother of Jack, born May 2005)
> Check out our blog at http://www.allaccesspasstojack.blogspot.com for
> glimpses into our busy life with a boy who is busy growing and developing in
> his own way in his own time
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Penny Duffy
> Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 11:25 AM
> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Stages of cane use?
> 
> Marie..
> 
> I think as parents we want our kids to do mobility tools and techniques
> correctly. Its hard because we know how hard it is.  Kids sometimes have
> other ideas. LOL  My daughter has a lot of of her peripheral vision so at
> times I feel it gives her too much confidence and she will end up running
> into something.  Those times when my daughter has a lot of problems seeing
> her cane skills get a lot less lazy.
> 
> On Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 12:17 PM, Marie <empwrn at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
>> Thanks everyone for your ideas and support. We're gonna try to keep it
>> light
>> and easy and not overly stress. The reason I asked if this was a phase is
>> he
>> previously did use the cane to find curbs and what not. His cane skills
>> seem
>> to vary with use and his visual abilities of the day....honestly, if it's
>> one of those days where we are amazed that he seems to see stuff that he
>> "should not" be able to see, it's going to be a frustrating cane day. It's
>> kind of ironic really...
>> 
>> Thanks for the ideas. We are going to try games to keep him moving quickly
>> like everyone suggested and take some calculated fall/bump risks. Thanks
>> again!
>> 
>> Marie (mother of Jack, born May 2005)
>> Check out our blog at http://www.allaccesspasstojack.blogspot.com for
>> glimpses into our busy life with a boy who is busy growing and developing
>> in
>> his own way in his own time
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Richard Holloway
>> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 10:01 PM
>> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Stages of cane use?
>> 
>> Very true, and it still goes on from what I understand. I know that we met
>> with HEAVY resistance over our daughter's using an actual cane as opposed
>> to
>> a so-called "pre-cane-device" when working with a local center for the
>> blind. (This would have been about seven years ago-- mid 2004.) I thought
>> (and continue to think) very highly of that center which works with the
>> blind from newborns clear through to adults, but we absolutely went to WAR
>> over the cane issue.
>> 
>> We were told what many people have heard: kids need to be able to
>> understand
>> the concept of using a cane before they try so they don't have to
>> "un-learn"
>> bad habits. I think that sounds rather convincing for about 5 or 10
>> seconds,
>> but then I take pause and realize that sighted kids don't "understand"
>> walking at first either. Who exactly tells parents of SIGHTED children to
>> stop them from trying to walk until THEY fully understand the concept?
> That
>> isn't how learning works in ANY early development concept of which I'm
>> aware, and I'm fully convinced it has nothing to do with walking with a
>> cane. Parents who are new to this situation (at least from what I recall)
>> may tend to think they are waiting for some professional-- (maybe a
>> doctor?)
>> to "prescribe" a cane. It doesn't work that way of corse, but how would
>> they
>> know? And it isn't like there is a white cane department at Wal-Mart.
>> Doctors rarely (if ever) are going to tell parents to go and get a white
>> cane for their child. Many vision centers, by-and-large, tend to delay
>> suggesting canes early on. Many O&M instructors in schools are slow to get
>> canes into young kids hands as well. I know of cases where they have also
>> brought canes for O&M lessons but taken them away between lessons to
>> control
>> the canes and insure they are being used (and learned about) properly.
>> 
>> This is no exaggeration-- in our situation at the local center they
>> literally took every other parent in our daughter's class aside when she
>> was
>> around 18 months old and told them that they objected to use of a cane for
>> a
>> child so young as ours. They told these parents that they were supporting
>> our specific wishes AGAINST their better judgement. (Meanwhile my wife and
>> I
>> were distributing free NFB canes to all the other kids in the class we
>> could
>> behind the scenes, so to speak.)
>> 
>> If any of you are not aware, "pre-cane-devices" are generally little PVC
>> trapezoids with the narrow end at the top (where it is held) and the wide
>> end at the bottom. Larger PVC rollers are typically added on the bottom
>> (big
>> pipe around small) and allegedly assist the walker with forward liner
>> motion. In fact, I'll agree they probably do that. Unfortunately, they
> also
>> are heavy and cumbersome. (Compare the weight to a fiberglass NFB cane I'd
>> estimate it is at least 10x the weight, probably more.) The devices
>> generally cause children to lean forward, creating posture issues, and
>> let's
>> face it, the last thing we need to do is encourage blind kids to look down
>> all the time, right? How many of us are constantly trying to get kids with
>> little or no vision to sit straight and keep their face looking forward
> (so
>> to speak). These devices prevent in-step motion with the hands which we
> all
>> need to develop. They occupy both hands as well and they are entirely
>> useless for navigating stairs, needing to be carried by an adult or
> hoisted
>> onto the child's shoulder as they attempt to traverse a staircase. I'd
> also
>> suggest they make a child stand out a lot more than a cane. There may be
>> cases where some small percentage of blind kids benefit from such devices,
>> but I don't believe there are many cases where children, at least children
>> with blindness as their sole impairment, need to use pre-cane-devices over
>> a
>> white cane. I say, if you feel you need something like that for a very
>> young
>> child, give them a push toy that is fun and age appropriate and can serve
>> the same purpose. If they can move about with a toy shopping cart in front
>> of them, they'll be ready for a cane soon enough instead. Besides, they
> can
>> explore with a cane when just standing or even sitting down as well. Very
>> early cane use is as much about extending a blind child's reach and world
>> as
>> it is about learning to walk effectively.
>> 
>> "Old school" O&M practices would have the general public as well as the
>> blind population believe they know all the answers and there is some
>> "secret
>> formula" involved in teaching cane travel, especially to small children. I
>> have huge respect for many in the O&M profession, but the ones I respect
>> the
>> most are the ones who realize that since traditional O&M was developed as
> a
>> model for rehabilitation of previously sighted adults who had lost their
>> vision in World War II, some adaptations may be appropriate in the
> teaching
>> method needed for use with children, especially when they are very young
>> and
>> have had little if any vision ever.  (Not that I have a strong opinion on
>> the matter or anything like that, LOL...)
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Apr 11, 2011, at 8:30 PM, Carol Castellano wrote:
>> 
>>> Some historical perspective:  it wasn't that long ago that kids were not
>> even getting canes till they were 14 or 15 years old (there WERE no little
>> canes!).  (See
>> <
>> 
> http://www.blind.net/alternative-techniques/mobility/cane-and-preschoolers-
>> the-eight-year-revolution.html>
>> http://www.blind.net/alternative-techniques/m
>> obility/cane-and-preschoolers-the-eight-year-revolution.html for some
>> history.)
>>> 
>>> Virtually all of the adults you see walking with canes who are in their
>> 30s or older learned these techniques after they were 15 years old.  So
>> your little guys who have had canes in their hands since they could stand
>> up
>> are really ahead of the game.  I'm sure you've seen many extremely good
>> travelers who are older than 30.  If they can get that good even tho they
>> started late, just imagine how terrific your kids are going to be!!!
>>> 
>>> Cheers,
>>> Carol
>>> 
>>> Carol Castellano
>>> Director of Programs
>>> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
>>> 973-377-0976
>>> carol_castellano at verizon.net
>>> www.nopbc.org
>>> 
>>> At 03:40 PM 4/11/2011, you wrote:
>>>> Our phrase has become "get your good grip" (or "is that your good
>> grip?")
>> because that used to be the key issue-- not holding it correctly. Now she
>> actually may have her good grip, but she's either not going side-to-side
>> (fairly common for her), or using the "magical floating technique" with
> the
>> tip hovering just above curb height in front of her. Mentioning her grip
>> usually gets the fastest response.
>>>> 
>>>> The other thing I keep working on is her remembering when to go to a
>> staff grip, like in close quarters with others, when standing in a line,
> or
>> at stairs. All I have to say now is "staff" if she forgets, and I think
>> that
>> is getting to be needed less often as well.
>>>> 
>>>> There is a lot to remember and there are so many distractions for us
> all
>> when we're out and about-- it is no wonder it takes a while for all of
> this
>> to become automatic...
>>>> 
>>>> Richard Holloway, Vice President
>>>> Georgia Organization of Parents of Blind Children
>>>> www.gopbc.org
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On Apr 11, 2011, at 3:00 PM, Samantha Parker wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> I agree with "tough love" in a safe way!  My 6 year old doesn't use a
>> sweeping motion in front and wow...she misses things...all I have to say
> is
>> "Bev, that's why I tell you..." and she finishes with "sweep your cane."
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> --- On Mon, 4/11/11, Richard Holloway <rholloway at gopbc.org> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> From: Richard Holloway <rholloway at gopbc.org>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Stages of cane use?
>>>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Date: Monday, April 11, 2011, 11:08 AM
>>>>> 
>>>>> Merry-Noel and Brandy both make good points. Our daughter spent a
> good
>> deal of time dragging the cane behind her for a while. No matter what, I'd
>> remind him that you're glad he has his cane with him because if he starts
>> leaving it or throwing it down then you have another battle to fight.
>>>>> 
>>>>> When Kendra would fail to use her cane properly, apart from reminding
>> her over and over, I'd sometimes  let her walk into things, trip, and
>> sometimes even enhance the opportunity for her to have a minor crash.
> (That
>> may overstate, but I would not always give her any verbal warning of
>> something in her way for example.) Mind you, I was always poised and ready
>> to grab her when she was very little before a major crash or fall. It
>> sounds
>> a little mean, but far better to have a few trips and falls when we're
>> there
>> to help than for her than to figure someone will always be around to guide
>> her. Someday, we won't be there, and we know that.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Ultimately, we could often make this into a funny discussion and
> avoid
>> any crashes up front-- "Your cane is telling you what's behind you-- you
>> already know where you've been. Don't you want to know what's in front of
>> you?"... That sort of thing. Kendra uses her cane very well now, but at
>> times she still "floats" her cane in the air and stops clearing her path
>> properly. Then I may remind her that her cane is just telling her what's
> in
>> the air in front of her-- not on the ground, but after that, I will let
> her
>> trip herself on a curb or stair if it is in a fairly safe place (no cars
>> nearby, nothing major to fall over if she stumbles). It is all sort of a
>> calculated risk in "tough love" trying to let her learn from small
> mistakes
>> to avoid huge ones later on.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Richard
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Apr 10, 2011, at 8:47 PM, Merry-Noel Chamberlain wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Marie,
>>>>>> Has Jack ever had O&M without using his eyes; aka using sleepshades?
>> Perhaps I would try that.  If wearing shades is difficult for him - locate
>> a
>> dark room (a room that has no windows) and shut off the lights.  Sometimes
>> I
>> use a school gym.  I will play games in the gym such as Red-light,
>> Green-Light with no light on.  We practice running in there, too.  This
>> builds some confidance in the cane.  Also, tell Jack he needs to hold his
>> head up when he walks because that is the proper posture.  By wearing
>> sleep-shades he learns the cane lets him know things such as curbs and
>> stairs.  Prase him (or the cane - smile) when you notice that his cane
>> found
>> something that his feet didn't find.  Walking faster helps quite a bit.
>>>>>> Merry-Noel
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> --- On Sun, 4/10/11, Marie <empwrn at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> From: Marie <empwrn at bellsouth.net>
>>>>>> Subject: [blindkid] Stages of cane use?
>>>>>> To: "Blindkid email" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Date: Sunday, April 10, 2011, 11:19 PM
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I am getting very frustrated with Jack who is slowing down and using
>> his feet rather than maintaining his rhythm and using his cane to find
>> curbs/obstacles. Yet he insists on carrying his cane. Is this just a
> phase?
>> Tips anyone?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Marie (mother of Jack, born May 2005)
>>>>>> Check out our blog at http://www.allaccesspasstojack.blogspot.comfor
>> glimpses into our busy life with a boy who is busy growing and developing
>> in
>> his own way in his own time
>>>>>> 
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>>>>> 
>>>>> 
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> 
> -- 
> --Penny
> ----------
> Adventures with Abby - visionfora.blogspot.com
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