For a baby with a serious vision or hearing problem, early intervention can help equip him for a better life.

Even newborns can be taught alternate ways to communicate, how to learn through other senses, get oriented to their surroundings and learn how to get around.

The Parent Infant Program of the Florida School for the Deaf & the Blind offers this support and training for families of babies with vision impairments in the Boca Raton area – in their homes for free.

Parent advisors work with the whole family to help meet the child’s needs. They can even provide pre-Braille and basic sign language skills.

“The earlier that it is detected, the earlier we can train the family on skills and techniques for helping the child have a better life,” said Kim Carr, the school’s coordinator for the region that includes Boca Raton.

For a child with a progressive vision loss, he can start learning pre-Braille skills early and be better prepared to cope when his vision gets worse, Carr said.

“Early intervention is key because it sets the foundation,” she said.

The school, based in St. Augustine, serves about 40 families from Indian River south to Boca.

To qualify for the services, a child must have a vision or hearing loss of a certain level  in both eyes or ears. (In Palm Beach County, help for hearing loss is provided by the school system).

Children are usually referred by a doctor or another program – many babies with vision loss also have other disabilities.  But families can also contact the school directly: call 904-827-2232 or email Carr: carrk@fsdb.k12.fl.us.

There are some little signs to look out for if you suspect your baby or young child has a problem:

• Not tracking movements with his eyes
• Not startled at loud or sudden sounds
• Doesn’t blink if you put your hand in his face
• Doesn’t turn his head to see something

Many of the kids who receive help at a young age for vision and hearing loss go on to mainstream programs in the public school system, Carr said.

The FSDB program helps newborns up to age 6 for vision problems. The public schools offer programs for kids with hearing and speech problems even before they enter kindergarten. (Read more about evaluations and services through Child Find).