The visual system plays a critical role in the development of academic skills, including: reading, writing, mathematics, and is a precursor to higher level cognitive abilities.

Delays in the development of various visual functions have a significant impact on a child’s ability to reach their academic potential, and results in emotional, attentional and behavioral problems when left undiagnosed and untreated.

Acquired vision disorders are also extremely common in the population of patients who experience closed head trauma. Unresolved vision deficits have a significant impact on their rehabilitation process, as the visual system deficits often interfere with balance, movement and thinking.

You will learn the types of developmental vision deficits which often occur in the school-aged child, as well as the acquired vision deficits which occur in the TBI population. You will learn signs and symptoms of vision problems as well as easy-to-implement screening strategies. Treatment modalities will be discussed, including how lenses, prisms and vision therapy services can resolve these deficits.

Additionally, case studies demonstrating the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in helping children with learning difficulty and adults recovering from trauma will be included. Hands-on demonstrations allow you to synthesize the impact of vision disorders on the total human system and experience how vision therapy can help direct and guide the visual development/rehabilitation process.