The Individual Vision Training for
Toddlers, Preschool Children and
Children with Central Visual Impairment
Marketa Skalicka, Jana Stvrtnova, Lucie Magerova
Association of Low Vision Therapists
and
Early Intervention Centre in Prague
ICEVI Dublin 2009
Aims of the presentation
Sharing experiences of the good
practice in discovering tools for
development of visual images of
children without or with little previous
visual experience
Tools for development of picture
perception addapted for indivual needs
Programme of vision stimulation and
vision training in Early Intervention
Based on Methology „Development of visual
perception, Metod of vision stimulation and
vision training“ (Markéta Skalická, 2003)A ) Vision stimulation-environment adaptation( high contrast, ilumination, contrast patterns, brightness, hue of colours ) - affect development of visual pathways and visual centres in the brain and conscious perception connected with involvement of other senses (hearing, touch, mobility)
B) Vision trainig:
- training of conscious active
utilisation of residual vision
abilities for:
-orientation and mobility,
- communication,
- dailly living skills
- development of visual
images
Specific approach to children in
preschool ageRespect their individual level of
psycho -motor development:
- time, body position, selection
of
activities
Respect present level of visual
impairment
- choice of size, contrast,
requirements of the stimuli on
cognitive level of the child and
previous experiences
Individual programme for the child
Child developes
visual images
through
experience in his
family, home,
community
Individual programme for the child
Well observe
abilities of the
child
Listen to the
parents
observation
Award the child
for vision activity
Individual programme for the child
Selection the object of child interest
(song, poem, activity)
Size,
Outlines and silhouettes,
Contrast and illumination,
Colour
Amound of details and crowding,
Verbal description,
Using previous experiences.
Individual programme for the child Teach the child
strategies to:
explore near space
scan the group of
pictures, localise object
look for characteristic
features of object
use previous
experience to recognise
the same object on new
picture, in new position
Light box APH-
tool for
development of
visual functions
and skills
Individual adaptation for child
adjustment of contrast, level of illumination
adjustment of the position of the stimuli
active interraction of the child and the object -touch, manipulation
quite wide choice of material
3 levels of abilities requirement -
enable gradual development of visual
perception from light perception to
perception of detail on pictures
Level 1
Boardmaker Programme
(www.mayer-Johnson.com)Offeres adjustment of
- size,
- coulour of the object
and the background,
- thicknes of the contours,
- frame,
- combination of objects.
Boardmaker - illustration of the
story, song, poem
“Blow, blow wind,
Bring me one pear,
Bring me one or two,
I will have them both”
Literature
Brilliant, Richard, L.: Essentials of Low Vision Practice, Chapter
16, Butteworth-Heinemann, USA 1999, ISBN 0-7506-9307-X
Heiner,D.: Learning to look, Michigan 1986
Hyvarinen,L.: Evaluation of Infants and Children, in Vision
Impairment and Vision Rehabilitation, Light House,Oxford 2000,
ISBN 0-19-509517-0