APH Article on Cortical Visual Impairment

I may have provided this link before but the subject has come up again with some of the teachers of my students trying to get this information across to parents or some of my parents trying to get the concept over to some of the teachers. ~K

What is CVI?

Why your child/students may have impaired vision:

Ocular disorders: pathology of the eye(s)
Neurological visual disorders: disturbed or reduced vision due to various brain abnormalities.
The two types of visual disorders (ocular & neurological) can coexist.
Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is a neurological visual disorder. It is the fastest growing visual impairment diagnosis today.
Definition for Medical Purposes:
Cortical visual impairment (CVI) may be defined as bilaterally diminished visual acuity caused by damage to the occipital lobes and or to the geniculostriate visual pathway. CVI is almost invariably associated with an inefficient, disturbed visual sense because of the widespread brain disturbance. See brain diagrams.
Definition for Educational Purposes:
Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is a neurological disorder, which results in unique visual responses to people, educational materials, and to the environment. When students with these visual/behavioral characteristics are shown to have loss of acuity or judged by their performance to be visually impaired, they are considered to have CVI.
Note: A student whose visual functioning is reduced by a brain injury or dysfunction may be considered blind for educational purposes if visual function is equal to or less than the legal definition of ocular blindness.

The rest of this article can be found at this link:  http://www.aph.org/cvi/define.html

Counting Box for Students in the Severe-Profound Class

 

Mrs. East's students are learning about the number 5. 

The first photo shows the materials used to make the multi-sensory counting box: jingle bells, dayglo tape, dayglo color labels a clear plastic container with a top, wiggle eyes, tacky glue. 

I put the jingle bells in child-proof medicine containers that people have been saving for me. I made several representaions for the number five on each side of the container: The wiggle eyes were used to make the braille number 5. The tape was used to make a print numeral five and the dayglo color label dots were used on one side to show five. 

The idea is that each day Mrs. East will tap count to five and her sever-profound disabled children will tap count with her. The five jingle bells in five medicine containers can be dropped into the container while counting to five and the glowing shake animals shown in the last photo can be dropped in while they glow. 

One of these boxes was also made for the students in my other severe-profound class that I visit at a middle school.

If you are one of those who has asked about activities for children with cortical blindness--here you are!

~K

Counting to Five with the Students in SP (part 2)

I have four students in Mrs. East's class for children with severe and profound developmental disabilities. Two of them have only light perception and two are cortically visually impaired (CVI).

Mrs. East's learning task this year concentrates on counting to five. She wants the children who can talk to try to say the numbers and the children who can use their hands to be able to "tap count" on the table while she counts aloud. She also wants them exposed to the numeral. Earlier I made double vision flash cards with the numbers 1 to five in large print, braille, raised lines. I used neon colors because of the cortical blindness. 

My intent here is to make a counting box in which the children will be able to drop five objects inside and hear them hit the bottom of box. I wanted to use a coffee can because they make the most noise but I became concerned with using spray paint to cover the writing on the can. Instead I found more jingle bells and some inexpensive food storage containers. I am thinking I will sew each bell into a cloth pocket so they will be easier to pick up and hold and pose less of a choking hazard.

On each side of the container is the number five represented in different ways. I used neon green duct tape to make a print numeral five on one side. Doll crafting wiggle eyes  were used on another side to make a large braille numeral five. On another side I used five neon orange labeling dots.

I also found some more of those little light-up squishy toys that can be used for another class.

All of the things pictured can be found at WalMart. The colored dot labels and the container can be found at both WalMart and Dollar General.

Later, I will post how the jingle bells came out.

I have been trying to work on a Classroom Suites activity that is conducive to switch use and a video to paste on TeacherTube, however, with no desk I have to go to another site, at the AT department, where the program is installed to do that. Lately when I get to go there it's to use their computers for paper work. I'm determined to  complete a CRS activity before February.

Until next time, keep praying for my kids and for me and I'll keep praying for all of you and yours!

~K

Teaching Toys for Pennies

I posted this video sometime ago. I have found that at the turn of each season, the Family Dollar Store has these small light up balls in bright colors that will light up when shaken. They are just the size for small hands. I suggested using them against a black background or for teachers of severe profound impaired children with cortical blindness. I even suggested that the teacher invest in a black apron. Since the lights from these toys blink rapidly there may be a seizure inducement concern for some children. I would not allow children who puts things in their mouths to handle these toys. A teacher will use some discretion base on the needs and conditions of his/her students.

Cortical Visual Impairments

http://causesofblindness.net/tag/cortical-vision-impairment/

Cortical Visual Impairments

This article explains it quite well. I want teachers of my kids to understand why glasses don't usually work: http://134.174.13.251/az/Site2100/mainpageS2100P0.html

http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/

Cortical Visual ImpairmentsHow iPads help children with Severe Visual Impairments

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2045948/Apple-How-iPads-help-children-severe-vision-impairments-light.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

iPad Helps Children with Severe Vision Problems--Cortical Visual Impairments

http://www.theipadfan.com/research-shows-ipad-helps-children-severe-vision-problems/

(Cortical Visual Impairments) Decluttering could help child's vision

http://www.chroniclejournal.com/content/news/local/2011/05/10/%E2%80%98de-cluttering%E2%80%99-could-help-child%E2%80%99s-vision

Visual Impairments Specialist
Westminster Elementary School
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://teacherweb.com/LA/RobertELeeHigh/MrsMichael/t.aspx
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Work n Play Rowan's Way:

A blog about a little girl who is cortically visually impaired with CP. Yes, you guessed it! I have had and have sevral students who are CVI

http://rowanstherapyblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/orthotics.html

Visual Impairments Specialist
W            Elementary School
http://lee.ebrschools.org/kathynicholslee
http://www.kathyskids.org
http://teacherweb.com/LA/RobertELeeHigh/MrsMichael/t.aspx
http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com

Cortical Visual Impairments-Parents' Group

For those with children with CVI you might want to check out this group a parent is just starting.
http://social.kidspot.com.au/1391/0/Health/cortical-visual-impairment-and-blindness-

Mrs. Kathy
Visual Impairments Specialist