[blindkid] O&M for the little ones

[Kim Cunningham]

Eliza,
This is such an exciting time having a little one! I have such fond memories of my daughter using her cane. She was 2-1/2 when she received her first cane. I would proudly watch as she walked everywhere on her own. That has been about 17 years ago. My daughter is currently finishing her final bit of training at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. Today her task was to book a ticket on Greyhound Bus, call a cab to take her to the bus station where she will travel to another city on her own, visit the city in some way, and then return back home. She is doing what a 19 yr. old should be doing. In other words, I fully believe that the NFB cane and the teaching approach, allows the blind person everything needed to travel safely and independently.  
We never were offered the pre-cane device as you have been. From everything I understand, the pre-cane is not a great tool for our blind and low vision kids. I have found a couple links where you can order information about O&M for children. After you read it, then you can pass it on to your school. Perhaps they might be more receptive with reading material. 
 
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Info_Packet_Cane_Travel.asp?SnID=722132766
 
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/blind_children_lit_list.asp?SnID=722132766
This would be a great video to purchase also. You can order it from the above link.
White Canes for Blind Kids
Depicts blind children and adults at an NFB national convention being interviewed regarding their experience with and views of early cane use.
Order Information: Item LPA17; DVD/Video Cassette; $15.00 
 
Good luck!
Kim Cunningham
President, TPOBC

--- On Fri, 12/10/10, Eliza Ellett <elizaellett at yahoo.com> wrote:


From: Eliza Ellett <elizaellett at yahoo.com>
Subject: [blindkid] O&M for the little ones
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Date: Friday, December 10, 2010, 3:10 PM


 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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