It’s a Big World out there! How we see it affects our development, movement, academic performance and so much more. Yet, we are taught so little about this system that has such a huge impact on the functional abilities of our children. This course provides the background you need to become a “vision aware” therapist and help your patients in new ways.

This course presents the most complete pediatric vision course curriculum ever offered to therapists. This expanded course will explain the anatomy and physiology of the visual system and, through evidence-based research, demonstrate the role vision plays in making academics more difficult for some children. Therapists will learn to recognize the simple signs of undiagnosed vision-based learning impediments so they might better interpret the results of standardized testing. Through lab practice and case studies, attendees will gain confidence in assessing ocular motor and near vision focusing skills then design activities to get the best possible outcomes. Therapists will learn the common signs of dyslexia and get the truth on computer vision syndrome. During lab sessions, attendees will then learn easy and fun techniques for improving these skills. You will also learn how to connect with optometrists in your area to implement your vision rehab program. This course offers a curriculum to make the novice therapist into the “go-to” vision resource.

Objectives:

• Interpret behaviors and difficulties that could indicate an undiagnosed vision problem
• Illustrate the role vision is playing in the development of pediatric patients
• Describe the development of the visual system from birth to maturity
• Observe glasses to identify the condition they are managing
• Explain the eye care professionals best suited for your patient’s vision problem
• Describe the parts and function of the near vision triad
• Summarize basic vision related diagnosis and the therapist’s role in their management
• Assess ocular motor skills and the near vision focusing system
• Utilize strategies to improve ocular motor skills
• Apply principals to develop your own ocular motor and vision activities
• Describe computer vision syndrome and the role of blue light
• Recognize ocular motor problems from dyslexia
• Indicate when to perform visual perception testing and when to wait
• Acquire the skills to reach to Optometrists and make connections that benefit your patients
• Choose modifications during treatment to compensate for visual dysfunction
• 14 contact hours