Visual impairment in children: our adapted care

Visual impairment in children can present unique challenges, but with the right support and resources, children can overcome these obstacles and reach their full potential.

In this COP9 article, we explore the different types of visual impairment in children, as well as the best practices to support them therapeutically.

Visual impairment in children:

the different types of visual disabilities

 

Children with visual impairments may have difficulty perceiving objects in their environment, distinguishing colors, moving independently, or reading and writing.

Total Blindness

Children with total blindness suffer from a complete lack of vision. They therefore rely primarily on their other senses to explore their environment and interact with the world around them.

Low Vision

Children with low vision have vision that cannot be completely corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. They may have reduced visual acuity or restricted visual fields.

Other Visual Disorders

Some children may have other visual disorders such as night blindness, retinitis pigmentosa, amblyopia, congenital and juvenile cataracts, congenital glaucoma, or visual perception disorders such as visual field and refraction disorders.

What is the origin of a child's visual impairment?

These disabilities can be caused by congenital eye problems, acquired eye diseases, trauma, or genetic conditions.

What are the possible therapeutic supports

for the child's visual impairment?

Blind and visually impaired people generally use different techniques and tools to compensate for their visual impairment.

 

These technical aids include braille, large print, large format documents, audio books, text-to-speech applications, adapted editions, white canes, guide dogs, tactile and visual devices, and many others !

 

It is therefore essential to put in place support and adaptation measures for their specific needs, as proposed by COP9, with its multidisciplinary team and MoveR equipment for orthoptic, psychomotor and vestibular rehabilitation.

Handicap visuel de l'enfant : main d'enfant qui lisent le braille

Visual Assessment

 

A complete visual assessment by a pediatric ophthalmologist, such as Dr. Stéphanie Zwillinger, is essential to understand the child’s specific visual needs and determine the best treatment and support options.

Specialized Education

Children with visual disabilities can benefit from specialized education that takes into account their unique learning needs. Individualized programs and assistive technologies can help maximize their academic potential.

Rehabilitation

Visual rehabilitation services, such as training in the use of technical aids, orientation and mobility, and braille training, can help children develop the necessary skills  to live independently and take an active part in the society.

Psychological support

Visual impairment can impact a child’s emotional well-being. Psychological and emotional support can help the child cope with the challenges associated with their disability and develop a positive self-image.

Visual impairment in children: our COP9 treatment

Visually impaired children may also meet obstacles in their schooling, learning, social integration, and overall development.

Visual rehabilitation and re-education are key elements in the process of caring for visually impaired children.

Our programs, offered by our ophthalmologist surgeon Dr. Stéphanie Zwillinger, aim to promote:

  • autonomy;
  • social inclusion;
  • learning;
  • the development of visuo-motor skills.

To achieve this, our multi-disciplinary COP9 team offers you access to cutting-edge and inclusive psychomotor equipment, MoveR, all managed by our ophthalmologist Dr Stéphanie Zwillinger, alongside orthoptists and a contactologist.

All in an inclusive and accessible space, designed as a reassuring cocoon for your child!

In conclusion

It is important to raise awareness in society about the reality of children with visual disabilities, to promote accessibility and inclusion, and to correct deficiencies, allowing these children to live their lives to the fullest and realize their full potential!

 

Visual impairment in children requires a holistic approach that includes medical, educational and psychological interventions. With appropriate therapeutic support, children with visual impairment can overcome obstacles and lead fulfilling and enriching lives.

 

For more information on visual impairment in children and its therapeutic support, do not hesitate to contact us!

To discover

signs that your child sees poorly

Signs that your child sees poorly

The signs that your child sees poorly can take various forms and can manifest in different ways. It is important for parents and teachers to be attentive to these signs in order to detect any visual problems in the child as soon as possible.

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