First steps to understanding your child’s vision impairment

It can take time for you and your child to understand your child's vision impairment. Your child's vision may change as they grow, and they may also become better able to describe what they can see.

With help from specialist professionals, you'll learn to understand your child's vision and decide what, if any, adjustments need to be made.

It can sometimes be difficult to find out the cause of a vision impairment, but it's important to know as much as you can about your child's eye health and associated medical conditions: Find out about your child's vision impairment.

Meeting a small group of parents and carers who are at a similar stage of their journey can help you feel less alone and give you the opportunity to share your experiences in a safe, supportive space.

RNIB's online Parent Pathways course helps you build your understanding of how to support a child with vision impairment. The course includes two 90-minute sessions with a week between each session to give you time to reflect and consider what you've learned.

You'll also receive a free course booklet with information and resources to support your learning. After the course, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions in a follow-up call.

Find out more and sign up to Parent Pathways.

Learn more about the different services that can support you and your child. These include:

• health services, such as opticians, GPs and hospitals
• social care services, including your local Sensory Service and wider social services
• education services, such as a nursery, school, college or university, as well as the Sensory Service.

The Sensory Service can provide support across both social care and education. Your health services may refer you to the Sensory Service for additional support.

All three services should work together to support your family. You and your child should be able to contact them regularly to ask questions, discuss the support being offered and decide what's right for you.

Emotional wellbeing resources are also available at any point from each of these services and other organisations.

In hospital, you may meet different eye care professionals, particularly during the time when your child's eye condition is being diagnosed. Our “Who does what in eye care? A guide for parents” explains the different professionals you may meet and how they can support you and your child.

We also have an Eye Clinic Appointment Guide for Parents to help you prepare for appointments.

If you have any specific questions or want to know more about eye conditions, certification and registration, or looking after your child's eye health, you can find more information in our Eye Health section.

Make sure you’re looking after yourself and your family’s emotional needs.

A diagnosis of vision impairment can bring up lots of different emotions for your child and your family.

Our Tough Talks resource can help you talk with your child and others about your child's vision impairment. You can also listen to our Emotional Wellbeing podcasts, which cover topics that parents of children with vision impairment frequently ask about.

Visit our emotional support resources.

We’ve also got a specific page for young people and their feelings about vision impairment.

Your child's hospital or education setting may have an emotional support or counselling service that can work with your family.

RNIB’s Sight Loss Counselling Service is available to children with vision impairment aged 11 and over and their families. You can refer yourself to the service.

Find out more about RNIB's Sight Loss Counselling.

Parents and carers tell us that one of the best things they've done is meet other families in similar situations.

RNIB's Parents and Carers Facebook group is a great place for parents and carers to ask for advice and guidance, share stories and learn about other organisations and communities.

RNIB Parents and Carers of VI Children Facebook group.

If you're aged 18 or over, you can join one of our regional Facebook groups to connect with other people in your area.

Find out more about RNIB's social networks.

All children and young people with vision impairment aged 0 to 25 should receive specialist support from a Qualified Teacher of children and young people with Vision Impairment (QTVI).

QTVIs work for the local authority or education authority's Sensory Service. They have a mandatory qualification in teaching learners with vision impairment and can work with your child, their teachers and other education staff to make sure that their education is accessible.

Find out more about getting the right support in education.

When you’re done here, you might want to look at our other education resources, including RNIB Bookshare and the Curriculum Framework for children and young people with Vision Impairment.

Education and learning tools for children with vision impairment.

Your local authority or education authority will assess the support your child needs at home after their diagnosis.

This service can support your your family with child development, learning new skills and accessing wider social care services.

This may include:

• play, learning and developing life skills
• moving around your home and local area
• specialist equipment and adaptions at home
• accessing benefits, concessions and grants.

This support may be provided by a Habilitation Specialist (RQHS) if your child is aged 0-17, or a Rehabilitation Specialist if your child is aged 18 or over. A specialist social worker or other social care professional may also be involved, if needed.

More resources

You can find some more detailed information in our children, young people and family resources.