FamilyConnect

Many parents want to learn as much as they can about their child’s diagnosis of blindness or a visual impairment and what the future will look like for their child. Here you can browse by many of the most common conditions that can cause visual impairment and learn more about the likely implications, next steps, and sources of support.

Working with Medical Professionals When Your Child Is Blind or Visually Impaired

Developing an understanding of the different eye care professionals your child may be seen by, questions you can ask, and what you can expect at an appointment will empower you and your child to more clearly understand his visual impairment. To learn more, read “Working with the Medical Professionals When Your Child Is Blind or Visually Impaired.”

After the Diagnosis: For Parents of a Child Just Diagnosed with Blindness

Whether your child is a baby or toddler, preschooler, grade schooler, or a teenager, learning that your child has a visual impairment can be a shocking event that affects you and your entire family.

If you’re feeling a wide range of strong emotions, you’re not alone. Most parents of children who are visually impaired can recall the day they first suspected their child couldn’t see, the day they were given the diagnosis of their child’s eye condition (or the uncertainty of an unclear diagnosis), who told them, and how the news was delivered.

Start here for critical information you’ll need after the diagnosis.

Join the FamilyConnect Community

Join the FamilyConnect community and connect with other families who have children with the same eye condition as your own. You can choose to receive e-mail alerts for events and activities near you as well as tips for living with vision loss, new articles, blog posts, and announcements relevant to you and your family.

Connect with others on the message boards—join in the discussions or start a new topic of your own. Track your favorite message boards and blogs by e-mail!