Child Development
Braille Institute’s Child
Development Program offers free early intervention services designed to educate
families about the developmental needs of children and families who are blind
and visually impaired. Our trained Child Development Consultants work with
parents and family, as well as medical and educational professionals, to
respond to the needs of these infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
During our consultations or visits with parents or
other family members, we offer suggestions to encourage a child’s use of functional
or residual vision, and ability to learn through touch. Using everyday activities, we
offer ideas to help families support their child’s motor skills, language,
cognition and social development through play. Another key component of our program focuses on providing
resources for families to promote early literacy and concept development. As
children grow, we help parents locate appropriate preschool programs and
services in their community in order to best support their child’s overall
development and prepare them for a successful school experience.
Any
child living in the Southern California area —from birth to age 6 — who
is blind or visually impaired is eligible for Child Services. If your
child is older than 6, please go to our Youth & Teen Services page for more information.
Simply contact Child Development Services at (323) 906-3112 and make
an appointment for a free consultation. You can also request more
information about our Child Development Services by submitting our online form.
Telephone Education Series
Dr.
Bill Takeshita, Director of Optometric Services and Pediatric
Coordinator for the Center for the Partially Sighted and Consulting
Director of Low Vision Training for Braille Institute, is partnering
with Braille Institute Child Development Services for an informative
monthly Telephone Education Series.
Calls take place on the Second Tuesday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Here’s how to join the call:
- Dial 1-888-247-8947
- When the operator asks for a participant passcode, use 460500
- The operator will then connect you to our call
September 2011 – June 2012 Schedule
- October 11, 2011: What is Visual Stimulation?
- November 8, 2011: CVI: Functional Activities to Help Your Child at Home
- December 13, 2011: ROP: Current Research and Trends
- January 10, 2012: The Unique Needs of Premature Infants
- February 7, 2012: 10 Top Questions for Your Child’s Eye Exam
- March 13, 2012: Other Pediatric Eye Diseases: Retinal Conditions, Coloboma, Aniridia
- April 10, 2012: Sleep Disorders and Your Visually Impaired Child
- May 8, 2012: The Unique Needs of Children with ONH
- June 12, 2012: Technology and Your Child Under 5
We invite you to listen to these free podcasts of our past sessions, brought to you by AIRS-LA: Audio Internet Reading Service of Los Angeles:
- November 18, 2009 – Vision Stimulation for Children Under 5 Years of Age
- January 21, 2010 – Neurological Vision Impairment
- February 17, 2010 – Simple Ways to Adapt Your Child’s Environment to Encourage Vision Stimulation
- March 17, 2010 – Making the Most of Your Child’s Eye Exam
- April 21, 2020 – An Overview of Retinopathy of Prematurity
- May 13, 2020 – Current Research and Medical Treatments for Retinopathy of Prematurity
- June 16, 2010 – Vision Stimulation for Children
- September 14, 2010 – Eye Patching: Why, When and How?
- October 12, 2010 – The Importance of Wearing Glasses
- November 9, 2010 – Why Do Children Eye Press?… and What to Do
- December 14, 2010 – An Overview of Strabismus and Amblyopia
- January 11, 2011 – An Introduction to Neurological Vision Impairment
- February 8, 2011 – Retinal Conditions
- March 8, 2011 – Planning for Your Child's Eye Exam
- April 12, 2011 – An Overview of Retinopathy of Prematurity
- May 10, 2011 – Adapting Your Child's Environment to Maximize Vision Development
- June 14, 2011 – An Overview of Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
- September 13, 2011 – What’s New in Medical Treatments for Vision Impairment
- January 10, 2012 -- Medical Advances for Premature Children
- February 7, 2012 -- Things to do Before Making an Appointment for Your Child