Date of Award

2006

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

LaVonne Fox

Second Advisor

Scott Johnson

Keywords

Occupational Therapy -- methods; Vision, Ocular -- physiology; Vision Screening; Visual Perception

Abstract

"Vision is not simply the ability to read a certain size letter at a distance of 20 feet. Vision is a complex and adaptable information gathering and processing system which collects, groups, analyzes, accumulates, equates, and remembers information" (American Optometric Association, 2005, p.1). The purpose of this project is to develop a parent/caregiver handbook that will educate parent/caregivers with children who have visual deficits and to benefit the Vision Therapy Project, which is located in Casper, Wyoming. This project is a non-profit organization dedicated to provide assistance and education to parents/caregivers with children in need of vision therapy. Information for The Vision Therapy Project Parent/Caregiver Handbook was gathered from an extensive review of literature and research. The findings from this review demonstrated a high percentage of school-aged children entering the school system do not receive a comprehensive visual screen to detect visual deficits therefore many school-aged children are being misdiagnosed or labeled with learning disorders by educators and parents/caregivers. This handbook is intended to be used by an occupational therapist to facilitate parental involvement, address areas which are impacting children's learning, and to develop a better understanding of the vision therapy treatment being provided to their child. The parent/caregiver educational handbook contains information regarding the development of the visual system; visual deficits and disorders that result from a dysfunction within the visual system; how other senses work together in conjunction with vision; what is occupational therapy (OT) and vision therapy (VT) and the services provided; parents/caregivers roles with therapy in the home and office; and resources for parents/caregivers to access. The Vision Therapy Project parent handbook will allow parents/caregivers to become effective advocates, and increase the child's success within their academic environment as well as independence with their occupational performance.

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