Author Archives: Melisa Matthews

Fine Motor Skills for Young Children

A spinner toy suctioned to a high chair as a child is playing.

For babies who are blind or have low vision, fine motor skills play a critical role in the ability to explore and interact with their environment. They serve as the foundation for many important life skills such as self-care, communication, and academic success. One of the primary ways babies who are blind or have low […]

APH Code Jumper and Summer Fun

Posted on June 12, 2023 - 11:25 am by
Child creates a circuit with computer-mouse-sized Code Jumper pods. Text: APH Hive Getting Started: Code Jumper Unplugged Presented by Leslie Weilbacher, Robin Lowell, & Shelley Mack

Computer Science and Information Technology jobs have continued to rise over the last few years. The field of coding offers virtually endless job opportunities. It’s important for your child to explore this field. Many students start learning coding as early as kindergarten. However, your child with blindness or low vision might not have had the […]

Sensing and Learning with the APH Hive

Posted on May 31, 2023 - 8:33 am by
A student looking up toward his teacher who is reading with him.

Does your child who is blind or low vision have complex needs? Partnering with your education team to gather information about how your child responds to activities at school and home is the first step towards building communication skills. As parents, we may want to know what is observed when determining our child’s present level […]

From Nondriver to Active Traveler

Posted on May 15, 2023 - 12:40 pm by
city bus

Teens who are blind or have low vision (and their parents) must make many transportation decisions. Will your child drive if they meet your state’s requirements? If not, how will they get around? Will they utilize a city bus or a hired driver? Driving represents a new level of independence and responsibility, and nondriving teens […]

National Center on Deaf-Blindness: Family Leadership, Engagement, and Empowerment

Posted on May 9, 2023 - 4:02 am by
Child with hearing aids playfully gives eyeglasses to an adult

Families are the experts in knowing their child, which should positively impact the decisions made for a child who is deafblind. Children who are deafblind have specific needs and considerations that are “compoundingly complex.” Families with a child who is deafblind will go through many stages of emotions and have different needs as they support […]

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