[blindkid] Pre-braille?

[empwrn at bellsouth.net]

Thank you everyone! There is a ton of info out there. I'm a bit anxious. 
I have ordered Carol C's book. I also ordered one of those tactile workbooks. I have signed up for every braille book club I found. All this stuff is and will continue to add up and I'll take all the free help we can get. 
My son is fine motor delayed and does not have a lot of manual dexterity. He does not have a lot of range of motion where his fingers meet his palm. He does not have most of his finger joints. How does this impact his learning braille. It seems like a lot of pre-braille activities have to do with grasping and manipulating objects. 
Also I should clarify that Dr. DeCarlo said that 2-3 inch high print would be sufficient for near work (as in held in his lap or sitting on a desk). He can see smaller print by holding it in his hands close to his face. We plan on him being a dual media learner. 
I'm really trying not to be so anxious but gee whiz how did you guys all deal with trying to learn all this stuff on top of everything else going on with your kids? 

Marie-more about Jack- www.allaccesspasstojack.blogspot.com
www.apert.org
www.thecraniofacialcenter.org
Sent from my Palm Treo

-----Original Message-----

From:  "Carrie Gilmer" <carrie.gilmer at gmail.com>
Subj:  Re: [blindkid] Pre-braille?
Date:  Sun Mar 8, 2009 3:44 pm
Size:  4K
To:  "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,\(for parents of blind children\)'" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>

As always, Excellent Carol, I want to clarify something though that I said
in view of a statement of Carol's. Because, I think our two statements on
large print alongside each other to new people could seem confusing or not
in sync-when they really are.

The definition of "dual" is fairly broad, and I don't know that we or anyone
has any such thing near a "it means child can use print 50% and Print 50%"
or of that order. The definition of dual mostly means really capable of
using both to some degree. In my mind in the truest sense-many considered
dual on paper or in goals have not had enough tactile exposure to be truly
dual (meaning they CAN ACTUALLY USE both)...and some blind kids do not get
enough exposure and experience with print. When I said he will likely not be
a large print READER with only being able to see 2 and 3 inches, what I
meant is FOR READING, even large print will not be very accessible to him
for reading. He will use his eyes when they work for him and should be of
course encouraged and use them when they offer gaining info in pictures or
words visually--even if a CCTV enhancement is needed. So I want to clarify
that I mean he should yes be capable of "reading" print, but in my view with
that kind of access problem it will not be an effective medium in day to day
reading needs getting met (as we really think of reading compared to a
sighted child)--or in enjoyment. 

I have never found trouble with a lack of encouragement or opportunity for a
child to use ANY vision available. The trouble is a focus on it to the
exclusion of tactile or an emphasis on tactile that nothing near the
encouragement of visual.  

So..He should learn print. I want to clarify that I did not mean he should
not. Many of us feel all our kids should be to some degree dual. Meaning
that no one we know of has been hurt by learning Braille and children with
no usable vision need and find it very beneficial to know the shapes of
print letters and to write with a pen or pencil in print as well.

But the point of tactile experience is very important that Carol made,
tactile should not be mere "exposure" it needs emphasis, and I know Carol
and I agree and have said it this way too, so much emphasis that it really
needs to become a "way of life".

 
 
Carrie Gilmer, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
A Division of the National Federation of the Blind
NFB National Center: 410-659-9314
Home Phone: 763-784-8590
carrie.gilmer at gmail.com
www.nfb.org/nopbc

-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Carol Castellano
Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2009 10:48 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Pre-braille?

Hi Marie,

In addition to all the great resources and ideas Carrie and others 
have mentioned, you can also sign Jack up with your state/regional 
Library for the Blind.  They will send print-braille picture books to 
your home and to the school.  This is a free lending library which 
operates through the mail (and when he is older, via downloads from 
the internet).  It's a little scary that the VI teacher didn't know 
how to get him books.

Regarding "concepts" that have to be understood before beginning 
braille instruction, usually teachers mean concepts dealing with the 
set up of a page, so top and bottom, and left to right.  These, as 
others have mentioned, are part of what is taught as "pre-braille" 
skills.  Just don't let these become an excuse to delay the 
introduction of braille.

It sounds as though Jack may be a "dual media" learner--someone who 
learns both braille and print.  The key to this seems to be making 
sure that the child learns braille thoroughly and is completely 
proficient in it.  I think you may want to avoid just "exposing" him 
to tactile materials.  There should be a real EMPHASIS on them!  So 
as you discuss the issues with the team, make sure a sensible plan is 
put in place as to when braille (including pre-braille) will be 
taught and how often.  The line to measure against is--Is he keeping 
up with his peers?

Another important factor will be to make sure his materials are ready 
in accessible form when he needs them, so that he can participate 
fully in every activity of the school day.

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