Opening Doors (support package)

Has your child recently received an identification of deafblindness or multi-sensory impairment?

A boy and holds a ballon helped by a manHaving a child identified as having sight and hearing difficulties can be a worrying and complicated time - which is why Sense is here to help. 

Our Children’s Specialist Services team specialises in supporting deafblind and multi-sensory impaired children and their families, and can help you to better understand your child’s needs.

Who we work with

We work with families who have been told their child has problems with vision and hearing, or that their child has complex disabilities which are likely to result in hearing or vision problems. 

We know the process of identification and diagnosis can sometimes be slow and uncertain, so if you are not sure please get in touch.

What we can offer

Opening Doors is one of a number of packages of support that we can provide to families.

We can offer:

"This is a whole new ball game for most parents."

Ruby’s mum

  • Support for the identification and recognition of deafblindness and multi-sensory impairment during the early stages of diagnosis
  • Contact with a member of our team who will offer information and advice
  • Liaison with other professionals to help them understand your child’s needs
  • Advice and information to help you to understand what other support is available such as family support groups and other specialist organisations

As no two families are the same, the support we offer will be based on your family’s needs. There will also be points during the package when we will ask you to reflect on whether we have made a difference, and what else might be helpful to you.

Getting in touch

If your child has recently received an identification of deafblindness or multi-sensory impairment and you would like some support around this then contact your identified Sense worker.
If you are new to Sense then please contact Sense’s Information and Advice service who will ensure that you are put in touch with the right person:

Email: info@sense.org.uk

Tel: 0845 127 0066 or 020 7520 0972

Textphone: 0845 127 0066 or 020 7520 0972

Fax: 0845 127 0061

Our other packages of support are:

  • Tuning In - helping parents and carers to develop effective ways of communicating with their pre-school child.
  • Getting a Result – helping young people to make the move into adult life.
  • Multi-sensory impaired children in hospital – supporting families by helping hospital staff to understand the needs of deafblind and multi-sensory impaired children.
  • Direct support – for when you are experiencing particular problems relating to your child’s deafblindness or multi-sensory impairment.

Related links

Your child and sleeping
Causes and associated conditions
Communicating with deafblind people
Intervenors in Action DVD

 

First published: Tuesday 12 June 2012
Updated: Thursday 2 August 2012