Today his weekly weighing put him at 10.08kg which is a marginal increase of 50g since last weighing.
Also today, Raphael's Early Learning Teacher and Vision consultant visited us because Raphael could not make it to the last group with his ear infection. His teacher brought a box with her that seemed to contain an endless stream of things that Raphael found intensely interesting. Raphael showed off his ability to see and demonstrated his fine motor skills by posting objects into a box and manipulating small objects with his fingers.
Showing posts with label Vision therapist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vision therapist. Show all posts
Monday, 20 August 2007
Thursday, 26 July 2007
Orientation and mobility presentation
This evening we went to an introduction to orientation and mobility (O&M) presentation done by Raphael's vision therapist at the Early Learning campus. The primary focus was for children with vision impairments but the content was still very relevant for Raphael. I am looking forwarded to working more with the vision therapist to help Raphael learn how to travel safely and take note of his environment to help him learn and play.
Half way through I was supposed to go to my Auslan course but when I got there it was all quiet and the lights were off. Then I checked my mobile phone and I found that the whole course had been cancelled due to lack of members. That was a bit disappointing because I was really enjoying that course and I was learning a lot. I will have to start to place more formalised personal structure in learning from the other resources that I have for signing.
After the O&M presentation we were given the opportunity to wear occlusion glasses that simulate Raphael's vision loss. It was an eye-opening experience (if you will pardon the pun). Even though I was aware of Raphael's vision field losses, this practical experience showed me what it was actually like to experience that vision.
My most notable impression is that I can now see why people think that he has good vision by casually observing him; but I am also much more aware of what he is missing out on and how limiting it is to see what can be found in his environment. I found that my hearing would react to things that my vision would normally detect first and so I was frequently in a state of surprise. Raphael of course does not have the benefit of normal hearing and so this sense of environmental awareness is further limited for him.
After my wife and I had both had a turn we put the glasses on Raphael, first in the opposite way to his actual vision which confirmed that it effectively blinded him. He was unwilling to move anywhere and briefly made an unsuccessful groping motion with his hand to find something to touch. When we turned them around to match his vision loss he was happy to crawl around again but eventually signed "finished" to indicate that he had enough of wearing the glasses (caught on the last photo in this blog entry).
Half way through I was supposed to go to my Auslan course but when I got there it was all quiet and the lights were off. Then I checked my mobile phone and I found that the whole course had been cancelled due to lack of members. That was a bit disappointing because I was really enjoying that course and I was learning a lot. I will have to start to place more formalised personal structure in learning from the other resources that I have for signing.
After the O&M presentation we were given the opportunity to wear occlusion glasses that simulate Raphael's vision loss. It was an eye-opening experience (if you will pardon the pun). Even though I was aware of Raphael's vision field losses, this practical experience showed me what it was actually like to experience that vision.
My most notable impression is that I can now see why people think that he has good vision by casually observing him; but I am also much more aware of what he is missing out on and how limiting it is to see what can be found in his environment. I found that my hearing would react to things that my vision would normally detect first and so I was frequently in a state of surprise. Raphael of course does not have the benefit of normal hearing and so this sense of environmental awareness is further limited for him.
After my wife and I had both had a turn we put the glasses on Raphael, first in the opposite way to his actual vision which confirmed that it effectively blinded him. He was unwilling to move anywhere and briefly made an unsuccessful groping motion with his hand to find something to touch. When we turned them around to match his vision loss he was happy to crawl around again but eventually signed "finished" to indicate that he had enough of wearing the glasses (caught on the last photo in this blog entry).
Wednesday, 4 April 2007
ELT consulation
Raphael went to an Early Learning Tasmania session today with Annie. Annie said that he was a bit bemused with the six or so women with varied specialities giving him their full attention.
- General teacher
- Vision and mobility specialist
- Speech pathologist
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational therapist
- Session recorder
- and of course mummy
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