Techniques for Tutoring Students with Visual Disorders
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Learn effective methods for tutoring students with various visual disorders, including Strabismus, Retinopathy of Prematurity, Dyslexia, and more. Gain insight into causes and treatments for optimal tutorial success.
Techniques for Tutoring Students with Visual Disorders
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Presentation Transcript
Tutoring Students with Various Visual Disorders Techniques for Tutorial Use A Presentation for Use by The Association of Tutoring Professionals On-line Workshop 2008 Presenter: Debra A. Boyle, M.Ed.; Redmond, Washington
Q: How common is this type of student? A: Not very…but when you encounter their special disability, you will need to know what works.
Q: Are visually disabled students blind so that they have no sight at all? A: No…not all students who are “visually disabled” have lost complete sight.
Q: What causes vision disorders in students I may be assisting? A: There are a variety of causes you should be informed of for best tutorial success. Common Types of Vision Disorders ►Strabismus (crossed eyes) ● one or both eyes turn in, out, down, up ● inability to develop binocularity (use of both eyes together) ● surgery + vision therapy treatable ● no treatment leads to Amblyopia ►Amblyopia (one eye reduced vision) ● failure to develop binocularity or focus disorder Strabismus ● surgery, vision therapy, glasses, patching, or Rx drops treatable ● 2-3% incidence visual impairment due to no treatment
Common Types of Vision Disorders (cont.) ►Retinopathy of Prematurity (vision impaired at retina due to premature birth time) ● result of premature birth difficulties ● laser surgery treatment yet unsuccessful for 28% ● retinal detachment if treatment fails ►Pathologic Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement) (go to http://www.answers.com/topic/optokinetic-nystagmus-gif, then find this photo to watch video movements back-and-forth of Nystagmus eye) ● damage to vestibular system by congenital cause, head trauma, tumor, MS ● not treatable, but medications show promise ►Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) (gradual vision loss from peripheral to center) ● inherited diseases causing retinal degeneration (Usher syndrome, rod-cone disease, Refsum disease, etc.) ● photoreceptor cell mutates to < or > protein imbalance ● nutritional therapy of Vit. A and DHA treatment helpful (research needed) Retinitis Pigmentosa ►Dyslexia (neurological disorder whereby reading/writing becomes difficult due to reversal or “mirror image” views seen) ● genetic, neurological causes ● (please see separate module on “Dyslexia Tutoring Techniques”) ►Visual Conversion Reaction (VCR) (psychological disorder causing various neurological problems with vision) ● mimics dyslexia in that handwriting and reading become difficult and inaccurate ● wide range of symptoms from distorted vision, vertigo disorders, eye discomfort, etc.
Q: So if a visually impaired student haslearned how to cope from birth with limited vision, why seek help from a tutor? A: Tutors need to offer their help for visually impaired students in the same way as forother students.
Q: Then how does a tutor begin working with a visually impaired student? A: Begin by gaining knowledge of what your student has and doesn’t have, and proceed from that point.
Q: Is it really necessary to obtainspecial equipment when working withvisually impaired students?A: “Necessary”, no...but helpful if the studentdoes not have access to tools for easier work.
Q: Why can’t vision impaired studentsjust learn Braille and use Braille texts/books?A: Braille is difficult, and not always made available via texts.
Q: Are there any other techniques a tutorshould know when working with vision impaired.A: The process of improving techniques is on-going as with all students.
