Visual Impairments

Maggie Orzeske

Welcome to the Response to Intervention (RTI) Meeting!

0Help! 0 Classroom Teacher – Maggie0 Occupational Therapist- Devin0 Physical Therapist- Kaylen0 Administrator- Shawna

Meet Alexis

01st grader at Spring Mill Elementary0 In Ms. Orzeske’s Class0Attended Preschool at St. Lukes In Indianapolis0Enjoys Stories, Music, Coloring and Friends0One Sibling, New baby sister0Albinism

What are Visual Impairments?

Severity of Impairment

Physical Indications of a Visual Impairment

Common Visual Impairments

0Red Flags:0Premature birth,0Low birth weight0Family history of eye conditions0Maternal intrauterine infections0Delays in motor skills0Delay in cognitive development0Visible conditions such as congenital cataracts or

congenital glaucoma

Early Identification

0 Begins with a Functional Vision Assessment of how the child uses vision

0 An assessment of the developmental impact of the vision impairment.

0 Assess the child’s orientation and mobility needs

0 A health evaluation to determine whether the child had an associated health problems or conditions including hearing loss

0 A learning media assessment to document how child uses senses to gather information

0 Assessment of family strengths and needs

Early Intervention Process

Accommodations/ Assistive Technology

0Environmental Accommodations0Preferential seating0Flexibility to move around the room0Additional space to work, larger table0Additional shelving space for their assistive technology

or braille books.0Verbal cues or sounds for transitioning or getting

students’ attention

Accommodations/ Assistive Technology

0 Students with visual impairments need accommodations in non-academic classes as well as academic.

0 Art Class- 0 use verbal cues when giving instruction0 enlarge assignments0 preferential seating 0 grade student on abilities

0 Gym Class0 “Sighted Peers” 0 use a ball with colors are high contrast, larger or softer shape, or

some kind of sound mechanism to help the student locate it0 Ropes or physical boundaries can help with track and swimming

Non-academic Assessments

0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9CawJSUy2c0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS-SgDaqYKM

Activity