This is one of the scariest questions you may be asked. It is one of those subjects that only you as a parent can decide if its best for you/ your child or not. I have to ask this question to many of my patients and its often the time they will feel the lowest.
Remember you or your child are exactly the same person before you were asked this. It does not mean the vision is worse or it will be worse it is just clarification on what your childs vision is. It is a voluntary process and you can take your child off it at anytime. Many parents think that this will stop their child from having the right to choose whether to drive ot not. If he/she decides they want to give driving a go and there vision is now sufficient according to driving regulations they can be taken off the register.
It will always help with a DLA claim which may come in handy if you need to purchase some lovely expensive magnification equipment for your child – Its always good to have the extra cash for assistive technology or resources that your child may need.
It will help with concessions. Why should you pay full price when visiting the Zoo when your child can only see half of the animals?? Many of them are camouflage or hiding making it very difficult for someone with a visual impairment to see.
The most important pro of having your child registered is the involvement of your local Sensory Team and Visual Impairment Advisory Teacher. As soon as you child is in a setting whether it is a nursery/playgroup or school the visual advisory teacher will come out to the setting and do exactly as the title says……Advise them on how they can help a child with a visual impairment access everything the others do. For example:
Where they should sit in class
Give teachers ideas on practical issues like having a glasses and hat box near the door for easy access at playtime.
painting the edges of steps yellow
Use of high contrast
The list is endless – They are wonderful.
Registration can also feel a weight off your mind when you don’t have to keep proving your child is visually impaired, You have a yellow card that does it for you!!
It helps access all the great support groups and activity fun for partially sighted children. LOOK, Actionnaires, Blind childrens society.
Charities that have the word Blind in them always put me off but since working for Action for Blind people it has made me realise it is a name and they all cover anybody with a slight visual impairment to severe.
Some parents feel that registering your child as sight impaired or Severely sight impaired is “a label” Its a choice and everyone feels differently. I however feel if your child falls into the registration criteria (ask your ophthalmologist at your next appointment) then the fact is they are already sight impaired and a piece of paper will not change this. The way we look at it is visual impairment will always be part of Joshua’s life and we want him to be confident about how it effects him and and not to shy away! As soon as Joshua was registered the support and servces found us instead of us searching for them and information.
All of the things mentioned can be accessed without a registration. If your child has a visual impairment they are entitled to the above, it just helps prove it quickly. If you want access to the VI teacher but do not want registration you can self refer by calling your local Social Services helpline.
You can request a booklet on the “Benefits of Registration” either at your local hospital, RNIB – also online or through social services.
All advice and information is purely based on my parental experience and views.
