Children with complex needs

March 10, 2023

Cerebral visual impairment

Cerebral visual impairment may mean your child finds it difficult to process visual information. It may also be part of a condition which affects your child’s physical development, such as cerebral palsy, or part of a condition affecting their understanding or health.

Your child may look at things but not easily make sense of what they are seeing. You can help them by:

Observing them – they will use body language and expression to tell you what they like, dislike and see.
Playing with them to see when they use their vision best. For example, when they are happy and excited or lying quietly.
Making light dimmer or brighter, based on their preferences.
Giving them toys with lights, sounds or textures to see which they prefer. Many children with cerebral visual impairment process looking and touching separately, so they may look away while touching a toy.
Noticing if they see you best from a specific position, and supporting them to do so.
Making sure they are comfortable. This may mean letting them lie on the floor or seating them in a chair. A physiotherapist can advise you on special seating or beanbags to support them.

An occupational therapist can also provide assistance with seating positions and aids, such as switches they can press to activate toys. A speech and language therapist will be able to suggest ways to help your child communicate.

Taking things at your child’s pace

There’s no need to rush – allow them plenty of time
Watch carefully for cues they have had enough. They may turn away, close their eyes or even go to sleep

We were delighted to host two workshop sessions with renowned poet Dave Steele recently, and they certainly fired up the imaginations of the young people who attended! We’re pleased to be able to showcase the incredible talent that came out of the workshops in the beautiful poems written by those attending below.

Two women sitting at a computer in an office, one is helping the other with work. There is a man sitting at his computer to their right.

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A member of Dorton College's team with three students. Two are standing to the team members left and one is on the right. They are all linking arms with big smiles on their faces. They are standing in front of the RSBC Dorton College sign, which also has purple bunting and a sign that says: Careers Day above the bunting.

No categories March 7, 2025

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No categories March 5, 2025

Gary O’Donoghue’s win at the RTS Television Journalism Awards

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A photograph of Dave The Blind Poet. He is standing in a field wearing a black coat, burgundy roll-neck top and a grey hat. The top of his cane is in view on his left. His head is faced slightly to the left and tilting upwards.

No categories March 4, 2025

Young people unlock their imagination at The Blind Poet’s workshops

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Members of the Youth Forum group and VI mentors in line against a wall. They are all smiling an posing for the camera creating a warm, friendly and dynamic atmosphere.

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A young boy with short ginger hair and red glasses expresses joy as he holds a tall glass of chocolate milkshake with whipped cream and a cookie. To the right, a woman with long, curly brown hair and a black and grey striped sweater smiles back at him while holding a yellow cocktail in a stemmed glass. The table is set with silver utensils and a marble surface, and there are decorative plants in the background, contributing to a warm and inviting café atmosphere.

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George and Nicola’s story

George is an energetic and confident eight-year-old boy who lives in a bustling household with his mum, Nicola, his dad, and his baby brother Ted. It’s a home that’s filled with love and resilience as the family faces the challenges and celebrates the triumphs that vision impairment brings.

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