Can a visually disturbed person work in childcare?

Question

I have a condition with my eyes 'diplopia' It makes me confused cause i see two of everything, i experience eye strain, migrains and i will never be able to learn to drive.

Would any one trust me to supervise their children? Would anyone employ me? Im not shore. I would relly like some seriouse answers. Please no yes, no, one worded answers, try to explain why.

Answer 1

A friend of mine who has limited sight was able to do childcare as work experience and she was told that she would still be able to do child care with her condition.

If it makes you confused due to there being 2 of everything and you really want to pursue a career in childcare you may want to talk to optometrist about a way to limit this.

Talk to a person from a local childcare provider and see if they would be willing to employ someone with your condition. Also try doing some work experience. Do you already do baby sitting if so this should give you an idea of what the effect may be on you.

Answer 2

I don't think it would be a good idea...sorry.

Answer 3

Call yourself visually impaired...your not disturbed. I don't see any reason why I wouldn't trust you as long as you weren't blind.

Answer 4

I have diplopia myself.  It is a huge hassle, so I sympathize with your struggles.

First, I would recommend that you investigate progressive muscular relaxation techniques, as well as hypnosis.  They can greatly relieve your symptoms.

Second, you want to pick a career that would not aggravate your condition.  While I think a person with dyplopia can make a fine daycare provider, the career is quite physically taxing.  For the sake of your health, it might be wise to give this career more thought.

Be well.

Answer 5

I think it depends a lot on how well you can see.  I would be likely to trust you with my own children (Well...I mean if I knew someone that had this, it would not effect my ability to trust them).  At the same time, i am not sure how well it would work with a large group of children.  Part of that job is really watching what is going on and if things happen, you are partly responsible for addressing it as you see it.  

There are a few things you might want to consider if your vision causes you problems finding a job and you want to work in early childhood:

--Working with an assistant or as an assistant.  

--Teaching one specific area to small groups of children or to a class with a teacher present.  In 4-6 grade, I had a blind pottery teacher.  We would have a schedule and go to her room 2 at a time and it was wonderful.  She made some of the best pottery because she had to rely on how the clay felt and had to pay really close attention to detail when glazing.

--Working with a childhood program to teach children about visual imparements.

I would also contact this school:

http://www.wpsbc.org/index.php

It is a school for blind children.  I know you are not blind, but they may be able to provide more information about teaching children while having vision problems.  They can talk about what legal concerns there are (since you should be able to see the children at all times) as well as ways to work within those and around those.  

I think someone who has medical issues that they can talk about with the children and that most children do not understand is a valuable asset.  I hope you can find a way to work with them.

Matt