1. Homeless/Shelter Survey • Program Director Session • November 30, 2016 • Sturbridge Host • Program Directors, Supervisors and Team Leaders DPH Updates

2. Specialty Services for Children with Vision Loss:Perkins Infant Toddler Program

3. Vision Impairments inInfants and Toddlers • Vision impairment can have significant impact on infant and toddler development • Early referral is critical to help children and families learn strategies and develop skills

4. Diagnosed Conditions List:Vision • Blindness, in ONE or BOTH eyes • Cortical Blindness • Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI) • Optic Nerve Atrophy (ONH) • Low Vision (20/70 or less), in ONE* or BOTH eyes • Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)*

5. Diagnosed Conditions List:Associated Conditions • Central Nervous System Disorders (including but not limited to: Cerebral Palsy, Hemiplegia, Intraventricular Hemorrhage, Leukodystrophy) • Chromosomal Disorders (including Down Syndrome) • CHARGE Syndrome • Traumatic Head Injury • Other syndromes, metabolic, and mitochondrial disorders

6. A Special Note AboutCVI • Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI) is one of the leading causes of vision impairment • CVI is strongly associated with conditions such as: • Neurological issues (IVH, PVL, CP, HIE, other brain diseases) • Prematurity • Certain genetic, metabolic, and mitochondrial conditions

7. Diagnosis of visual impairment from an eye care professional. May also come from neurologist in cases of CVI • Concerns about the way a child is using vision: • Difficulty visually tracking • Difficulty viewing people or objects • Difficulty with bright lights (squinting, covering eyes) • Nystagmus (random eye movements) • Mobility concerns (tripping, falling) that are not accounted for by gross motor delays “Red Flags”for Referral

8. Referral Process • Early Intervention staff contact Cristina Valente or Ruth Silverstein with questions or referral regarding concerns of a child’s functional use of their vision, vision loss, and how it is impacting their development. • Children have been or will be scheduled to be seen by a pediatric ophthalmologist. • Referral information must include: DPH#, name, address, phone number of child and parent. (see infant/toddler referral form for additional information) • Early Intervention will fax or send a copy of the child’s IFSP. Fax # 617-972-7586.

9. Referral Process (Cont’d) • Cristina or Ruth will contact the family to introduce our service, and if warranted will set up a home visit to help identify concerns about the child from both the family and EI providers. • Release forms are sent to the family and an eye report is obtained. • A Vision Specialist will be assigned

10. Next Steps • A Functional Vision Assessment will occur, and services may be recommended. The services are individualized, and can be home or community based, consultative, and/or parent groups. • The Service Coordinator, Vision Specialist and parent will collaborate and add vision related goals, outcomes, strategies, and frequency of services to the child’s IFSP when indicated.

11. Perkins Specialty Services • Weekly parent/child groups on campus • Short term group for infant and parent • Short term regional parent/child groups • Assistive Device Center (“Molly’s Workshop”) • “Let’s Move” consultations • Access to Perkins Toy Library • Connection to other families of children with visual impairments, information about conferences, workshops, and trainings

12. Questions? • Families are welcome to call Perkins directly. • Early Intervention providers are welcome to call with any questions. • Consultation and training can be provided to Early Intervention Programs and Day Care Providers caring for children with vision impairment or deafblindness

13. Social Workers • Cristina Valente 617-972-7444 • Cristina.Valente@Perkins.org • Ruth Silverstein 617-972-7332 • Ruth.Silverstein@Perkins.org • Infant Toddler Coordinator • Brenda Allair 617-972-7434 • Brenda.Allair@Perkins.org • Director, Community Programs • Teri Turgeon 617-972-7331 • Teri.Turgeon@Perkins.org Contact Information