Parent Tips: A Guide for Blind and Visually Impaired Parents

Parent Tips: A Guide for Blind and Visually Impaired Parents

Future Reflections Summer 1990, Vol. 9 No. 2
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PARENT TIPS: A GUIDE FOR BLIND
AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PARENTS
by Janiece Betker
-Review by Doris M. Willoughby
I begin this review with a comment on why
sighted parents and teachers of blind children -- even very young children--should be interested
in this book. If the parent or teacher has read this
book, and has met competent blind parents,
he/she can maintain normal expectations for the
child's future as a blind adult. If the child hears
suggestions gleaned from the book, and (even at
quite a young age) reads the book, then the
youngster will look forward to normal adulthood.
Without this book or its equivalent, many subtle
and not-so-subtle remarks and actions will imply
that normal parenthood is unlikely.
The introduction explains, "The information
presented to the general public is exactly what
blind parents need to know. Still, there are certain
techniques, bits of advice, and a few pieces
of equipment that can be useful to a blind
parent."
There are good ideas for educating health professionals,
relatives, babysitters, and others. Explaining
blindness to the child is also discussed.
It is very important for the blind parent to maintain
his/her personal independence, and with it
his/her authority as the parent. Mrs. Betker cautions
against letting this weaken --as by leaving the cane or dog at home and being guided only
by the child; relying solely on an older child to do
all the reading for the family; or letting salespersons
talk to the child instead of to the parent.
Valuable tips are given for all aspects of a young
child's life. Ways to ensure that the sighted child
is helped to learn visual concepts are discussed,
as is the issue of "eye contact."
As with Lifeskills, the style of this book is
readable and interesting.
Both of the above books are available in regular
inkprint and on cassette. A third book, Parent
Tips: The Challenge Years (about parenting
school-age children) is presently only on cassette,
but will be published in inkprint if the demand so
indicates. This reviewer has not had the opportunity
to read Parent Tips: The Challenge Years.
However, judging by the other two books, I assume
that it too is excellent; I hope that it will
indeed soon be available in print.
Lifeskills: A Can-Do Program for Living with
Blindness- Inkprint: $19.95 plus $3.00 for shipping.
Cassette: $19.95. Price includes future supplements.
Parent
Tips: A Guide for Blind and Visually-Impaired
Parents -Inkprint: $9.95 plus $2.00 for
shipping. Cassette: $9.95.
Parent Tips: The Challenge Years -- Cassette:
$12.95.
Janiece Betker
1886 29th Avenue, Northwest
New Brighton, Minnesota 55112
Phone: (612)639-1435
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