Scenario You suspect that a three-year-old in your class may have a visual impai

Question

Scenario

You suspect that a three-year-old in your class may have a visual impairment and you would like the child to be evaluated by an ophthalmologist. The child often bumps into tables and chairs and brushes very close to doors and cupboards, sometimes running into them. He frequently looks around the room during story time without focusing on the books. When you mentioned these behaviors to his parents, they laughed at you for falling victim to the child's manipulation. Their explanation was that the child liked to fake being clumsy.

Task.

1. What precipitated the need for this conference? What incidents occurred that prompted you to feel the need to call a conference?

2. How will you contact the child's parent(s)?

3. What kinds of documentation (please refer to the lecture material) will you have on hand during the conference for the child's parents to review?  At least three different sources of documentation must be included; one source must be one type of observation. Please note that handouts, brochures, pamphlets, articles and so on are NOT forms of documentation of the child's behavior. Points will be deducted for including any of the above in the response. Documentation must be of the child's behavior only.

4. Where will the conference take place?

5. Outline the issues in the order in which you will discuss them with the child's parents. You don't need to include everything you will say; a list of major points you plan to make is good.

5. Offer three referral sources the child's parents might contact for additional help. These could be family service agencies, counselors, community service agencies, etc. Please be specific when listing the referral sources, including the name of the agencies, their addresses and telephone numbers. You may find sources in the local telephone directories, at your places of employment. No web sites may be included as referrals. Only face-to-face referrals are acceptable for this assignment.

6. Set up a follow-up meeting with the child's parents and develop a specific plan of action with them about what will be discussed at the follow-up meeting to help keep them on track. Declaring that "we will meet in a few weeks to discuss the child's progress" is not a specific plan.  A specific date and time and a plan (such as an agenda) must be included. Stating that arrangements will be made at a time convenient to parents will result in a loss of points. Having parents commit to a date/time will increase the likelihood of follow-through.

Explanation / Answer

1. The behaviour of the child which was atypical in comparison to other kids in the class is the main reason for calling the conference. As stated above the child often bumps or runs into furniture which is not a behaviour of normal children with good eyesight. Children will intentionally not harm themselves. Secondly, looking around instead of focussing on the story book tells us that the child is unable to see the pictures in the story book clearly,so he resorts to focussing his attention elsewhere.

2. The child parents will have to contacted via official school mail or via the principals office. Handling of these matters without school authorities well nformed is not desired.

3. A thourough report on child behaviour observed by the teacher should be documented and presented to parents. If other subject teachers have also noticed this behaviour then this can also be added. A school nurse if present can prepare a medical report on her experiences with children having same issues, it will greatly influence parents.

4. The conference shold ideally take place in the office of the principal.

5. The school will have a tie up with local hospitals and councellors for situations and emergencies. These numbers can be provided.

6. Follow up plan : Weekly updates is necessary. Every monday can be kept aside for discussion of such cases.

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