In this podcast, we explore why confidence, self-esteem and resilience are important for children’s development, and ways to encourage them.
Further information:
Emotional support for children and young people with vision impairment
Find guides, resources and podcasts to help parents and carers support the emotional wellbeing of children and young people with vision impairment.
Children and young people with vision impairment have the same everyday experiences, feelings and reactions as their sighted peers. They may also face some challenges linked to their vision impairment, where support from parents, carers, siblings, friends and other people can help.
Talking about your child’s vision impairment
Parents tell us that one of the most difficult parts of finding out about their child’s vision impairment is knowing how to talk about it with their child.
We've produced guidance to help parents and carers have these conversations and support their child:
Wellbeing resources for families
We’ve put together a handy list of organisations and UK-wide resources to help parents and carers find the right support for their child’s wellbeing:
Sight loss counselling
Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who can help you reflect and move through emotions or things you’re finding difficult. RNIB’s Sight Loss Counselling team offers free telephone counselling for young people with vision impairment aged 11 and over, as well as their families and their friends.
The service is provided by BACP accredited counsellors who have specialist knowledge about vision impairment and the emotional impact it may have.
Find out more about Sight loss counselling.
Emotional support podcasts
Children and young people with vision impairment can face hurdles and challenges as they grow, live and learn. We’ve developed a series of emotional wellbeing podcasts to help parents and carers to guide their children in working through these challenges.
Members of our Education and Children Service speak to NHS Clinical Psychologist, Ian McCubbin. Ian is part of a team providing specialist services to children and young people with vision impairment in hospitals across the UK, funded by Fight Against Blindness.
We discuss advice, strategies and suggestions on a range of issues that young people, parents and carers frequently ask us about. Follow-on information is available for each podcast.
If you’d like advice or support from RNIB about any of the issues covered in the podcast series, please contact us via the Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
Podcasts Series 1
Parents tell us that talking to their child about vision impairment can be difficult. We look at the importance of having sensitive conversations with a child and how you can prepare for them.
Further information:
For children and young people with vision impairment and their parents and carers, talking to other people about an eye condition can cause concern. We look at preparing for a conversation and some factors to consider.
Further information:
Making friends, going out and dealing with uncertainty can make some children and young people feel worried or anxious. This podcast looks at some of the challenges that isolation and anxiety can present for children and young people and how to address them.
This content was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the guidance continues to apply more generally.
Further information:
- Dealing with uncertainty:
How to help your child deal with uncertainty and change - BBC Tiny Happy People - Understanding isolation and loneliness:
Helping a child with loneliness | NSPCC - Understanding and addressing anxiety:
Anxiety in children - NHS
Managing a child’s behaviour can sometimes be difficult for parents and families. In this podcast, we look at behaviour in children with vision impairment and some strategies you can use to manage this.
Further information:
- Managing frustration in toddlers and young children:
Dealing with child behaviour problems - NHS - Supporting a child or young person with challenging behaviour:
Challenging Behaviour | Parents' Guide To Support | Young Minds - Having conversations when your child is calmer:
How to Talk to Your Child about Mental Health | Young Minds
Finding out that your child has a vision impairment can cause different emotional responses for your child, your family and your child’s friends. We look at these emotions and explore some practical ways to support the whole family.
Further information:
Podcasts Series 2
The early years are an important time for your child’s development and for forming bonds and relationships with their caregivers. In this podcast, we discuss the impact of vision impairment on early development and what parents and carers can do to support their child.
Further information:
Most children experience periods of difficulty with sleep. Here we discuss the ways to support a good sleep routine and why some eye conditions may affect sleep.
Further information:
Any child can experience bullying. We use this podcast to discuss the impact it can have on the whole family and suggest ways in which parents and carers can support their child when facing these challenges.
Further information:
Following the ‘Confidence, resilience and self-esteem’ episode in our first podcast series, we delve a little deeper into this topic and explore some of the transition and developmental stages that can affect a child’s or young person’s confidence.
Further information:
In this podcast, we discuss the impact of vision impairment on social development and making friends. We explore how positive friendships can support children’s development and suggest ways in which parents and carers can help their child build healthy relationships.
Further information:
Further support
RNIB provides free, specialist advice and support for children and young people with vision impairment – from birth to age 25 – and their families.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or you’d like more information about anything mentioned on this page, we can help.
We offer:
- family, early years and transitions support
- support for education professionals
- advice about accessible books, toys and learning materials
- opportunities to meet and talk with other families.
Please contact our Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
