Vision and hearing

Getting a diagnosis

As your child grows, they will have hearing and eye tests.

If you think your child may have an issue with their vision or hearing that hasn't been picked up, you can:

• speak to your GP
• text a health visitor or school nurse using the ChatHealth text service

Find local support

There are local organisations that offer support for families.

Berkshire Sensory Consortium Service

Berkshire Sensory Consortium Service provides support for children and young people who are deaf, vision or multi-sensory impaired.

Children aged 5 and under

They provide:

• a home based education programme
• pre-school groups with opportunities to meet other families and specialists

Children aged 5 and over

They:

• provide training, support and equipment for children in schools
• work with other professionals to create support programmes for children and young people

Find out more on the Berkshire Sensory Consortium website.

Support for sight loss

• Berkshire Vision is a local charity that provides help and activities for families.
• To find more local support organisations, visit the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s Sightline Directory.

Support for hearing loss and deafness

• The National Deaf Children's Society has a community connector for Berkshire, who supports families and offers advice. Find out more on their Wokingham Directory listing.
• Berkshire Deaf Children's Society is a local charity that provides help and activities for families.

Support for multi-sensory impairments

Sense is a national charity that supports children and adults who are deafblind or have complex disabilities.