Free Child Development Programs

Braille Institute’s Child Development Program offers free early intervention services designed to educate families about the developmental needs of children and families who are blind and visually impaired. Our trained Child Development Consultants work with parents and family, as well as medical and educational professionals, to respond to the needs of these infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

During our consultations or visits with parents or other family members, we offer suggestions to encourage a child’s use of functional or residual vision, and ability to learn through touch.   Using everyday activities, we offer ideas to help families support their child’s motor skills, language, cognition and social development through play.  Another key component of our program focuses on providing resources for families to promote early literacy and concept development. As children grow, we help parents locate appropriate preschool programs and services in their community in order to best support their child’s overall development and prepare them for a successful school experience.

Any child living in the Southern California area —from birth to age 5 — who is blind or visually impaired is eligible for Child Services. If your child is older than 5, please go to our Youth & Teen Services page for more information.

Simply contact Child Development Services at (323) 906-3112 and make an appointment for a free consultation. You can also request more information about our Child Development Services by submiting our online form.

We also invite you to join our new online community at www.solutionsinsight.org. Our Child Development program has it's own discussion group and we encourage families of blind or visually impaired children to join in our discussions. Sign up today!

Telephone Education Series

Dr. Bill Takeshita, Director of Optometric Services and Pediatric Coordinator for the Center for the Partially Sighted and Consulting Director of Low Vision Training for Braille Institute, is partnering with Braille Institute Child Development Services for an informative monthly Telephone Education Series.

Calls take place on the third Wednesday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Here’s how to join the call:

• Dial 1-888-247-8947
• When the operator asks for a participant passcode, use 460500
• The operator will then connect you to our call

Save the date for this upcoming sessions from September 2010 to June 2011:

• September 14, 2010: Eye Patching: Why, When and How?
• October 12, 2010: The Importance of Wearing Glasses
• November 9, 2010: Why Do Children Eye Press?… and What to Do
• December 14, 2010: An Overview of Strabismus and Amblyopia
• January 11, 2011: An Introduction to Neurological Vision Impairment
• February 8, 2011: Retinal Conditions
• March 8, 2011: Planning for Your Child's Eye Exam
• April 12, 2011: An Overview of Retinopathy of Prematurity
• May 10, 2011: An Overview of Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
• June 14, 2011: Adapting Your Child's Environment to Maximize Vision Development

We invite you to listen to these free podcasts of our past sessions, brought to you by AIRS-LA: Audio Internet Reading Service of Los Angeles:

• November 18, 2009 – Vision Stimulation for Children Under 5 Years of Age
• January 21, 2010 – Neurological Vision Impairment
• February 17, 2010 – Simple Ways to Adapt Your Child’s Environment to Encourage Vision Stimulation
• March 17, 2010 – Making the Most of Your Child’s Eye Exam
• April 21, 2020 – An Overview of Retinopathy of Prematurity
• May 13, 2020 – Current Research and Medical Treatments for Retinopathy of Prematurity
• June 16, 2010 – Vision Stimulation for Children