By Reggie Clinton - Superintendent ISVI
June 25, 2008

2008 ISVI Parent Infant Institute, June 4-7, 25th Anniversary!

This year we served 25 children of 24 families. One family brought their twins. Ten siblings accompanied their parents as well. There were 38 parents, grandparents, aunts, or other care givers.

Our program included four or five individual evaluations out of seven possible areas chosen by parents: Social Developmental Skills, Gross Motor Skills, Speech and Language Skills, Orientation and Mobility Skills, Low Vision Skills, and Daily Living Skills. While roughly half of the parents were in evaluations, the other half attended sessions which included the following topics: "Parents’ Rights and Program Services" by Jean Osterby, "Preparing for Academics" by Karen Windy, "Your Child’s Best Mobility Instructor: You" by Jim Strader, "Insights into Vision" by Dr. Derrald Taylor, "The Inns and Outs of IFSP’s and the Transition to IEP’s" Jane Redmon, "Physical Therapy for the Young Child" by Dr. Glenda Hooker, "Joyce’s O & E-Odds and Ends" by Joyce Schmidt. Our keynote speakers were Sue Sullivan who presented "E.Y.E.-Exploring Your Environment" and "Literacy for Everyone" and Christine Clark who presented "Impact of Vision Loss-Family Life".

While their parents were busy attending sessions the children went to Structured, Observed, Play Activity (SOPA). These activities were monitored by Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI) teachers, ISVI high school students, and college students, preparing for work in the Special Education and Vision fields. Other highlights were: Parent Group Discussion, Panel Discussion, and our 25^th Anniversary Dinner Dance. This year we were very fortunate to have quilts donated so each child went home with his or her own quilt. It was a very busy and informational time for all!