This engaging course dives into visual anatomy as well as functional assessment and treatment for therapists in a wide range of settings (school-based, acute care, rehab, LTC facilities). Neurological insults such a stroke and TBIs can have a profound effect on visual skills, perception and processing. Additionally, 60-80% of children with learning disabilities have undiagnosed vision problems because vision is more than just visual acuity. As therapists, we may be the first to pick up on these deficits. Treatments, strategies, and tools to improve visual deficits will be stressed.

This course will arm therapists with intervention tools and strategies to promote functional independence and both children and adults. Case studies and labs will be used to solidify learning and cement clinical reasoning. A “mock” telehealth session will be provided to show how to incorporate these skills in a virtual setting and will include resources for coaching parents and caregivers.

Following completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify common visual issues which can impact students/clients.
• Select at least three ways the visual system is related to sensory processing, and ultimately student/client function.
• Choose a strategy or intervention that can be used to promote improved function for client with various visual issues, given the case studies provided.
• Identify when to treat, remediate, or refer for visual issues.
• Contrast functional impact of visual processing issues and visual deficits on client daily activities.
• Choose a treatment strategy to implement that addresses visual processing, visual perception or visual motor skills.

Dr. Melissa K. Gerber, OTD, OTR/L is a seasoned and respected clinician with extensive experience in pediatrics. She began her career in Adult/Pediatric inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation and acute care. Currently, she has been working for the Great Neck Public Schools for the past 21 years. She is president of 4MYKIDSOT, a private practice where she provides therapy and evaluations.
Dr. Gerber has presented at Education Resources, Therapies in the Schools on Visual Processing: Treat, Remediate, Refer. She has presented at Therapies in the schools in 2016 as the keynote speaker and presented on Aligning Motor needs with Educational Goals. She is enthusiastic to share her experiences and provide strategies that can be incorporated immediately. She is also affiliated with Puzzle Art Therapy, and enjoys sharing this program.

Day 1, 5:10 p.m.-9 p.m. CST
06:10-06:30 Webinar Registration/Zoom Course Opens
06:30-08:00 What is Good Vision?

• Models of Vision & Where OTs & PTs Fit in
• Components of Vision
  • Visual Integrity
  • Visual Efficacy
  • Visual Processing
• Anatomy of the Visual System & Visual Pathway
• Development of Visual System
• Implications for Therapy Outcomes
• Primitive Reflexes Impact on Vision
• What is Your Role? To Treat? To Remediate? Or Refer in Various Settings (School-Based, Acute Rehab, Outpatient, and Long-Term Care)?

08:00-10:00 Visual System's Role in Sensory Processing

• Examples of how to add vision into your treatment
  
  
  

Day 2, 5:10 p.m.-9 p.m. CST
06:10-06:30 Webinar Registration/Zoom Course Opens
06:30-07:30 LAB: Oculomotor Assessment

Treatment Strategies to incorporate results of Assessment

Please make sure you have someone in your house you can do this with

07:30-09:00 Visual Processing vs. Visual Deficit

• Visual Processing
• Visual Spatial Skills
• Visual Analysis Skills
• Visual Motor Integration
• Areas of Visual Processing & Strategies to Incorporate into Treatment
• Visions Impact on Reading & Writing Tasks
• Importance of Assessing Vision Across All Settings & Ages

09:00-10:00 LAB: Why did you sign up for this course? Bring Your Own Case Study** (Can be presented by participants or send to instructor to present)

• When to Treat, Remediate, Compensate, or Refer with Various Diagnoses
• What is a Visual Deficit?
• Strategies to Improve Visual Processing in Home and School Environments

Day 3, 5:10 p.m.-8:30 p.m. CST
06:10-06:30 Webinar Registration/Zoom Course Opens

06:30-07:30 Identifying & Managing Visual Issues Associated with:

• Developmental Delays
• Down Syndrome
• Autism
• Learning Disabilities
• Cerebral Palsy
• Stroke
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Elderly - Aging Process
• Concussions
• Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)

07:30-09:30 Regulation & its Impact on Working on Visual Processing Skills & Ways to Prepare Them to Work on Visual Processing Skills

• Assessment for Visual Processing/Visual Perception/Visual Motor Skills Intervention Strategies for clients with visual processing, visual perception, & visual motor skills (Websites, Apps, & Games)
• PuzzleArt Therapy Video Demonstration & Free Activity! FREE ACTIVITY TAKE AWAY
• Case Studies: Clinical Problem-Solving & Decision-Making Based on Best Practices & Research Evidence
• Questions & Discussion