A 2016 Gift Buying Guide for Blind and Visually Impaired Children:

Posted on May 26, 2023 (May 26, 2023) by Dr. Holly Ternus

Children with visual impairments or blindness can be challenging to shop for, one must think about toys in a different way. Here we have a number of links to sites to highlight a number of gift ideas for visually impaired or blind children.

We have pulled a few of our favorites.

- For Babies:
  - Lamaze Octotunes – This toys is multi sensory. Each leg gives off a different note, it is soft, not electronic and has a light vanilla scent as well.
- For Toddlers:
  - Vtech Rhyme and Discover book – the pages turn to play familiar nursery rhymes as well as light up, sing and laugh. It has buttons and knobs as well.
- For Kids:
  - Moon Sand – Almost like not-so-sticky play-doh, but is a really interesting tactile experience. It feels like sand but holds its shape.
  - Crayola Beginnings Color me a Song – This toy plays music as you scribble, encouraging kids to draw whether or not they can see it and helps develop fine motor skills.
- For Teens:
  - Bop It – This is a very tactile and modern version of “Simon”, in which you follow the directions to complete the sequences. This is and oldie but goodie and always a hit with blind teens.
  - Nintendo Wii Console – Nintendo manufactures a few games for blind and visually impaired kids. Game that need you to move your body to play such as Wii Sports, Wii Fit and Wii Music are good examples.

For more information visit these sites:
Wonder Baby
Family Connect
Braille Bookstore

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Written by Dr. Holly Ternus

Dr. Holly Ternus is originally from Torrington, Wyoming, and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in biological sciences. She graduated with Honors from The New England College of Optometry and completed internships with Honors at South Boston Community Health Center with an emphasis in glaucoma and narrow-angle glaucoma, Togus Veterans Affairs Medical Center with an emphasis in ocular disease, Lifetime Eyecare in Houston fitting specialty contact lenses, and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

Dr. Ternus practiced with ophthalmology in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, specializing in ocular disease, dry eye disease, and emergency care. She then transitioned into primary care, fitting specialty contacts for keratoconus, post-RK, corneal ectasia, and irregular corneas.

Dr. Ternus is an active member of the Nebraska Optometric Association, American Optometry Association, and American Academy of Optometry. She received her fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry in 2018 and is a graduate of the Nebraska Optometric Association’s Leadership Institute. She also received her fellowship in the Scleral Lens Education Society and is the first in Nebraska to have completed this honor.

Outside of work, Dr. Ternus enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, snowboarding, skiing, water sports, watching Husker football, and everything that involves being outdoors.

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