The podcasts are a FAB/RNIB collaboration. The content is embedded from the RNIB.
Emotional support for children and young people with vision impairment
All children and young people can face hurdles and challenges as they grow, live and learn. Learning to manage feelings, face problems, resolve differences and difficulties and developing resilience and coping strategies is a common part of growing up.
Children and young people with vision impairment will experience the same everyday experiences, feelings and reactions as their sighted peers. There may also be some particular issues relating to having a vision impairment, where it is helpful for parents, siblings, friends, family and other people to give support.
We have produced a series of podcasts for parents and carers about emotional support for children and young people with vision impairment.
Two members of our CYPF & Education support team speak to Ian McCubbin, a NHS Clinical Psychologist. Ian is part of the team working in hospitals across the UK to provide specialist services to children and young people with VI which are funded by Fight Against Blindness.
We discuss advice, strategies and suggestions on a range of issues that young people and parents frequently ask us about. For each podcast there is follow-on information.
Series 1
Podcast 1: Resilience, confidence, and self-esteem
In this podcast we explore why confidence, self-esteem and resilience are important when considering child development and ways to encourage all three attributes.
Further information:
Love Bombing – Article in The Guardian
Podcast 2: Talking to your child about their eye condition
Parents tell us that knowing how to talk about it with their child is one of the most difficult and distressing parts of finding out their child has a vision impairment. We look at the importance of having the conversation with a child and how to prepare.
Further information:
Tough talks: talking to children about sight loss
Podcast 3: Talking to others about your child’s eye condition
For children and young people with a 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:
SeeNow website Vision impairment simulations by Vision Aware
Podcast 4: Isolation and anxiety
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and available support, this podcast looks at the challenges of isolation and anxiety.
Further information:
British Psychological Society (BPS) guidance on Managing uncertainty in children and young people British Psychological Society (BPS) guidance on Shielding advice for young people RNIB Coronavirus information
Podcast 5: Managing behaviour
Managing a child’s behaviour can sometimes be difficult for parents and families, but lockdown and other restrictions have presented new challenges to cope with. In this podcast we look at behaviour specific to a child with a vision impairment and the strategies you can use if you need to manage behaviour in difficult circumstances.
Further information:
RNIB guidance on behaviour management strategies
Podcast 6: Coping with a new diagnosis
Finding out a child has a vision impairment can lead to varying emotional responses. We look at these and explore some practical advice in how to support the whole family.
Further information:
Description of George Bonanno and trajectories of coping RNIB Resources for parents of blind and partially sighted children Sight Advice FAQ website Sibs
Series 2
Podcast 7: Early years development
The early years are critical for a child’s development; this is when lasting bonds with caregivers are formed. In this podcast, we discuss the impact of visual impairment on early development and what parents and carers can do to support their child.
Further information:
Effective Practice Guide Social Inclusion and Social Bonding - Early YearsLearning through play in the early yearsRNIB: Let’s Play!RNIB Indoor sensory toys
Podcast 8: Sleep
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 have an impact on sleep.
Further information:
“Excuse me” sleep technique described.Bedtime passes described.
Podcast 9: Bullying
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:
Look UK Mentor Project The Thomas Pocklington Trust Student Support Facebook groups Bullying and Cyberbullying NSPCC
Podcast 10: Confidence, resilience and transitions
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 might have an impact on a child or young person’s confidence.
Further information:
RNIB Transition Guide: bridging the gap Thomas Pockington Trust Student Support Services Perkins school for the Blind resources on transition to uni (some US specific)
Podcast 11: Social development and making friends
In this podcast, we discuss the impact of vision impairment on social development. We explore how positive friendships support development and suggest ways in which parents and carers can help their child build healthy relationships.
Further information:
RNIB info on parties and playdates Effective Practice Guide Social Inclusion and Social Bonding - Early Years Perkins school for the blind info on Social Skills