Development Articles
Articles to help you encourage your blind baby's development. We focus on simple hands-on ideas that will help you help your child.
Reach for the Sky!
Andrea Story shares her advice on how to encourage your blind baby to reach out for and play with toys.
Development Charts
We've compiled five development charts for your blind or visually impaired child: Social & Emotional, Communication, Cognitive, Fine Motor, and Gross Motor.
Teach Your Blind Baby Sign Language
Can sign language work for blind babies? Signs are made to be very visual, can blind babies really pick them up? We're here to tell you first hand, YES! We'll tell you why you should teach your baby signs and give you some tips to make the lessons fun and easy.
Vestibular Stimulation
Does your child rock back and forth, hop up and down, or spin and spin for no apparent reason? They may be searching for Vestibular Stimulation. Here are some tips on how to channel that energy.
Is My Blind Child Autistic?
One parent tells her story about her worries over her daughter's developmental delays and how she was able to find perspective.
Teaching the Whole Concept
Teach your child about how food is made, where it comes from, and how we eat it. Get them involved in the whole process!
Making the Case for Occupational Therapy
What is occupational therapy and does your child really need it? If you're child becomes overwhelmed in noisy places or reacts terribly to a disrupted routine, then OT will probably help!
Sensory Games
It can be difficult for blind or disabled children to learn about the world and use their senses efficiently. Here are some games you can play to help them figure things out and develop their senses.
Recreational Resources for Children with Special Needs
Looking to get your child involved in swimming, horseback riding, or martial arts? Check out this comprehensive list of organizations and programs providing physical activity opportunities for children with special needs in New England.
Make Your Own Sensory Play Area!
What if you could design your own play area that would stimulate your baby's senses and make them feel safe and willing to explore at the same time? You probably have questions about what it is, how it works, and how to make one. We'll answer all your questions and take you through the building process step-by-step...
Make Your Own Mini Play Area!
Sometimes you don't have the space, time, or money to invest in a large sensory play area, or maybe you already have a large play area and are looking for more fun ways to entertain and stimulate your blind baby. We've got the solution for you!
Help! My Baby Won't Sleep!
There are many reasons why a baby won't sleep, but when your baby is blind you have even more issues to consider. We've compiled five reasons why a baby might not sleep, including ideas on how you may overcome your baby's sleep problem.
Help! I Need a Sleep Plan for My Baby!
When your baby's not sleeping and you've tried absolutely every trick in the book, it's time to develop a sleep plan that will really work!
Potty Training Your Special Needs Child
Potty training a child with special needs can be a bit of a challenge. We'll help you decide when your child is ready to potty train and get you started.
You Can Say That Again!
What is echolalia and what can you do about it? It's very common for blind children to repeat words or phrases. Learn why and how to help them move on.
Bringing Music in to Your Home
What is Music Therapy and how can you use music at home to help encourage your child's development?
Everyday Activities for Blind Children
Growing up without sight can be difficult. Often times it can be hard for your child to fill in the gaps or to fully understand what's going on around them. That's why, especially when they're little, they need your help to explain to them how the world works or how people accomplish simple tasks.
Orientation and Mobility
Did you know that it's never too early to begin teaching your blind baby orientation and mobility skills? Even if your blind infant is barely holding up her own head, let alone moving anywhere on her own, orientation and mobility is still a key factor to future independence and many of the basic teachings can begin as early as infancy.
Battling Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a normal part of any child's development. Here are a few tips to help your child ease the transition from a clingy little baby to an independent and happy big kid.
Let's Work Together!
Does your child have a hard time meeting with therapists or teachers? Maybe your therapists need some help understanding how to work with your blind child. We'll give you a simple but effective way to communicate with your child's therapists and teachers so everyone can work together.
That's Wet!
Your child encounters water in different forms all day long and you need to help him understand that while each experience is different they all involve the same concept: Water. We have an exercise that will help you teach your child how to use touch, sound, and smell to make connections.
Picking Up Puffs
When you choose a developmental milestone to work on with your child, it's important to break down your goal into simple, attainable steps. Here's how we worked on setting up goals when we wanted to help our son learn to feed himself...
In, On, Under
Basic prepositional concepts like in, on, under, behind, etc. can be very difficult for blind children to master. We'll share our ideas to help you teach these concepts.
Activities of Daily Living
Teach your blind child every-day organizational and living skills through a foundation of consistency and by developing memory.
Let's Play! Let's Work!
Every day your baby is getting bigger and older... but is he getting stronger? ...is he getting smarter? As the parent of a visually impaired child, I'm sure you worry about your baby's development, both physically and cognitively. But how can you be sure that you're doing all that you can? We'll help you create a Baby Workout Program that will cover all the bases!