Visual Impaired Notes

Goals and Objectives

  • Evaluate children with visual impairments.

  • Develop interventions for children with visual impairments.

Introduction

  • Vision aids in:

    • Identifying attributes like colors and shapes.

    • Acquiring spatial concepts.

    • Integrating elements into a coherent whole.

  • Key variables of visual impairment: type, severity, etiology, age of onset.

  • Congenital causes account for over 50% of visual impairments.

  • Incidence in school-aged children estimated at 0.50%.

  • IDEA 2004 mandates Braille instruction unless inappropriate.

Signs of Visual Difficulties

  • Signs observable in infants and older children.

Structure of the Eye

  • Key parts: Cornea, Sclera, Aqueous humor, Iris, Pupil, Lens, Retina, Optic nerve.

Disorders Affecting Vision

  • Types include:

    • Refractive errors.

    • Field defects (central, peripheral, and whole).

Clarity of Vision

  • Defined by visual acuity levels:

    • Normal: 20/20.

    • Mild low vision: 20/30 to 20/60.

    • Moderate low vision: 20/70 to 20/160.

    • Severe low vision: 20/200 to 20/400.

    • Profound low vision: 20/500 to 20/1000.

    • Total blindness: no light perception.

  • Legal blindness defined as acuity < 20/200 or field < 20°.

Developmental Considerations

  • Greater challenges if blindness occurs before age 5.

  • Difficulties include:

    • Learning about the world.

    • Routine tasks and word association.

    • Concepts of space and social functioning.

Assessment Considerations

  • Psychological assessment battery required.

  • Standardized tests may need modification due to lack of norms.

  • Use background information and functional vision assessment.

Interventions

  • Focus on helping children achieve competence in:

    • Academic and social skills.

    • Orientation and mobility.

    • Use of assistive devices.

    • Daily living and recreation skills.

General Teaching Considerations

  • Conduct thorough case studies.

  • Educate parents to assist with environment awareness.

Assistive Technologies

  • Strategies include:

    • Adapted writing tools and paper.

    • Magnifiers and Braille devices.

    • Electronic text strategies (e.g., word processing with speech).

    • Auditory access devices like talking GPS.

  • Emphasize equipment and evaluation principles for effective usage.