[blindkid] Transition to Kindergarten

[Aaron Cannon]

Hi.

Some other thoughts from my own daughters Kindergarten experience (she
is sighted, I am blind):

My daughter's class had the opportunity to use computers for short
periods throughout the year, and were she blind, I would likely ask
that she also be allowed to use a computer with some adaptive tech.  I
realize that it might be a little for a full-blown screen reader, but
there are, I believe, some self-voicing software titles aimed at that
age group.

I would also make sure the IEP included cane travel instruction.  A
lot of cane travel instruction.

That's all that occurs to me that hasn't already been mentioned.

Good luck, and don't settle for anything less than everything you need.

Aaron

On 4/29/11, Penny Duffy <pennyduffy at gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok I don't think i will be that much help but I will try. I had a  sighted
> kindergartener who started first grade blind.
>
> I know that it is very important not to forget every child is different and
> thats with the individual part comes into play with an IEP.  No one knows
> your child like you do.
>
> There should be reading goals in the IEP including math. My daughter (who is
> in first grade and just learned braille)  had both in her IEP.  Kindergarten
> kids have goals they should be at by the end of the year and that should be
> your son's goal.  The IEP is very details about the level of of Braille for
> reading and the Nemeth for math she should be in a year. (some of which I
> still dont' understand LOL)
>
> My daughter doesn't really uses any technology (there is a clause in the IEP
> to use as needed like they added a text to speech reader for the computer
> when she need it) She will be introduced a note taker in about 3rd grade
> I believe (maybe a little older) She has a Perkins Braille at both home and
> at school.  Every child is different in what they need. Those items that the
> child needs and the learning medium should be covered in the functional
> visual assessment. Thats a very important thing to have
>
> How often will the child see the TVI.. This seems to be different for every
> single child.  My daughter sees her 1 hour a day 5x a week.
>
> Don't forget Orientation and Mobility goals.  Its an area that gets
> forgotten sometime depending on how much experience the school district has
> with visually impaired students. My daughter sees her O & M once a week and
> uses a cane. She doesn't always need it but O & M is important.
>
> Will he need an aid to help convert all material and give him any extra help
> he may need.  A child in kindergarten should already be learning some
> independence its really important they don't over help but its also very
> important that all the materials are  the right format for him.  Abby's aid
> spend half her time not even in the room with her but converting and
> brailling papers and books.
>
> Its reasonable to expect that everything everyone else does in the classroom
> your child is able to do some how.  Even fluff work.
>
> Oh I had them add outreach programs to the IEP. We live pretty close to
> Perkins School and they have these great programs during weekends look and
> see if the local schools for the blind has something like that and see
> if the school district will pay for them.
>
> Its always  better to try and ask then not ask at all. Don't lower your
> expectations. Don't let the school lower them ether.
>
> Thats all I have to to share :)  there are some wonderful resources for IEPs
> I don't know where to direct you.  We just did our IEP in November and I was
> pretty clueless.
> --
> --Penny
> ----------
> Adventures with Abby - visionfora.blogspot.com
>
> On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 11:50 AM, Erin Teply <eteply at cfl.rr.com> wrote:
>
>> I am preparing for our IEP roll-up meeting as my son Max will be starting
>> kindergarten next year.  He is my first child to attend public school, so
>> the process is new to me and I have so many questions around how they
>> place
>> kids in the classroom, what they consider, etc.   I also have questions as
>> to what 'should be' on his IEP as educational goals aren't necessarily
>> going
>> to be on as he will have the same goals as everyone else.  I've got
>> questions on what technology should be introduced, if any, along with his
>> Perkins Brailler.  Because I feel like there is so much I don't know, I am
>> sending a letter to the school prior to the meeting to make sure all my
>> questions are addressed.
>>
>> If anyone has a child close in age or can remember what they did prior to
>> kindergarten with respect to placement, IEP goals, technology and anything
>> else, please share with me what you can.
>>
>> Thanks so much,
>> Erin Teply
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