Patterns of professional involvement with parents of visually impaired children

The authors sampled a range of professionals who deal with visually impaired children to determine how they involve parents in the management of these children. There were 10 peripatetic teachers, eight ophthalmologists, six paediatricians, three social workers, three headmasters of special schools for visually impaired children, and two educational psychologists. Ophthalmologists were the least likely to attend multidisciplinary case discussions, involve parents in discussions or give parents written information. About half the sample presented an optimistic picture, but almost half considered that parents needed more support, more information or improved communication between professionals. Two complementary solutions are proposed: the development of multidisciplinary teams and the use of a 'key person' or 'case manager' to co-ordinate services.