Full Course Description

Visual Processing Therapy: Helping Individuals with Sensory Processing Disorders, ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia & Acquired Brain Injury

OUTLINE

Visual Efficiency

  • The neurodevelopment of eye tracking, accommodation and binocular vision

Visual Processing

  • How the eyes interface with the rest of the brain and body
  • Vision problems as neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Vision problems as sensory processing disorders
  • Visual perceptual testing: Standardized and observational

Clearing the Ayres: How Developmental Optometry Relates to Occupational Therapy and Other Disciplines

  • A. Jean Ayres, Brain Gym and developmental vision
  • Collaboration between therapeutic interventions
  • Signs and symptoms of undiagnosed or untreated vision disorders
  • Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS)
  • Optometric application of lenses and prisms

The Neuroplasticity and Neuroadaptability of the Visual System

  • What goes wrong visually, why it goes wrong, and what we can do about it
  • Is there an age at which it’s too early or late to intervene?
  • Visual problems as early red flags for autism spectrum disorder
  • Learning-based vision problems and academic performance
  • Post-trauma vision disorder and other problems of acquired brain injury

Hands-on Demonstration of Screening Procedures

  • PLRG the penlight red/green standardized convergence insufficiency screening
  • Visual tracking and head movement
  • Visual tracking and the midline plane
  • Near-far focusing flexibility
  • Information for referral and collaboration

Overview of Sample Therapeutic Activities

  • Nearpoint of convergence and touch
  • Physiological diplopia and divided attention
  • Hart Chart Saccadic
  • Pointer-in-straw in three dimensions
  • Central/peripheral awareness
  • Press Lites

OBJECTIVES

  • Differentiate between eyesight and vision.
  • Discuss the role of vision in early intervention.
  • Identify visual problems impacting learning.
  • Describe common ground between other therapies and vision therapy.
  • Explain how to screen for vision disorders.
  • Collaborate on therapeutic interventions for vision problems.
Copyright : 03/13/2017

BONUS Module 1 | Introduction to Developmental Optometry and Basic Visual Efficiency and Visual Processing Skills

OUTLINE

Traditional vs. Developmental Model of Vision

  • Vision is a dynamic process

Visual System Break Down

  • Ocular health and refractive conditions
  • Functional and perceptual skills

Visual Efficiency Skill Basics

  • Neurodevelopment of eye movements, accommodation and binocularity

Visual Processing basics

  • Visual spatial, analysis, and integration skills
  • Vision problems as neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Visual perceptual testing: Standardized and observational

Vision, Learning and Behavior

  • Signs and symptoms of undiagnosed or untreated vision problems
  • Vision problems versus behavior problems
  • Classroom modifications for vision disorders

OBJECTIVES

  1. Describe the importance of proper visual function for learning and motor development.
  2. Determine the eight major components of a complete Developmental Triad Vision Assessment. 
Copyright : 02/18/2017

BONUS Module 2 | Visual Screening and Treatment: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

OUTLINE

Screening Procedures

  • Convergence insufficiency screening
  • Screening of oculomotor and accommodative skills
  • InfantSee program

Optometric Application of Lenses and Prisms

  • Developmental lenses, ambient lenses, yoked prism

Develop a Solid Foundation for Further Visual Development

  • Gross motor skills, midline, and tummy time. 
  • Vestibular Stimulation – Rotational versus linear
  • Visual-Motor Integration       
  • Ambient visual pathway development
  • Visual developmental protocols for home and in office

Therapeutic Activities: Demonstrations

  • Visual-vestibular integration activities
  • Eye tracking exercises for gross motor development and reading skills
  • Eye teaming and the importance of convergence
  • Visual spatial games
  • Integration activities

OBJECTIVES

  1. Utilize effective screening tools for vision disorders that go beyond 20/20 acuity; convergence, focusing, tracking, and visual processing. 
  2. Demonstrate multiple hands-on clinical tools to improve visual performance in your patients.
Copyright : 02/18/2017

BONUS Module 3 | The Connection Between Autism and Vision: Hands-on Demonstrations of Therapeutic Techniques

OUTLINE

Understanding the Neuro-Anatomy of the Visual System

  • Ambient versus Focal pathway description

Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Visual signs and symptoms for autism spectrum disorder
  • Why is vision particularly important for those on the Autism Spectrum?
  • How can you explain many of the classic symptoms of Autism by understanding the Ambient Visual Pathway? 
  • What is yoked prism and how does it help those with Autism?

Therapeutic Activities: Demonstrations

  • Peripheral awareness games
  • Vestibular stimulation, fixation, and eye tracking activities
  • Floor maze for laterality and directionality
  • Ambient pathway stimulation tools

OBJECTIVES

  1. State the importance of Ambient (peripheral) function for autistic patients.
  2. Explain how classic autistic behaviors relate to visual function.
  3. Implement specific hands on visual activities to support overall development of ASD children.
Copyright : 02/18/2017

BONUS Module 4 | Vision Rehabilitation: Interventions for Your Clients with TBI and Concussion

OUTLINE

Neuro-Anatomy Review

  • Magnocellular versus Parvocellular
  • Right brain versus Left brain

Visual Sequelae After Brain Injury

  • Lobe-by-lobe visual function
  • Unilateral Spatial Inattention (Neglect)
  • Testing methods

Neuroplasticity of the Visual System

  • Is there a critical period for visual development?
  • Sue Barry, Fixing My Gaze, and vision therapy
  • Brain injury and concussion

Concussions

  • Post-Concussional Syndrome
  • Pre-Concussion Baseline Screening

Therapeutic Activities: Demonstrations

  • Relearning basic eye tracking; saccades and pursuits
  • Eye teaming and convergence; the brock string
  • Visual processing games and activities

OBJECTIVES

  1. Discuss basic neuro-anatomy as it relates to visual function.
  2. Demonstrate screening techniques and therapeutic activities specific to brain injury.
Copyright : 02/18/2017