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From the Therapists

DEFINITIONS:
 
OT – Occupational Therapy
PT – Physical Therapy
TVI – Teacher of the Visually Impaired
SLP – Speech and Language Therapy
O&M – Orientation and Mobility
1:1 – aide – a person assigned specifically for a child
SEIT – Special Education Itinerant Teacher
Center-Based - a classroom with only children with IEP’s
Integrated – a classroom with 50% or less children with IEP’s integrated with non-disabled children.
 
 
 
Melissa Schwab, TBVI
Vision Services
 
 
Everyday Exposure to Experiences for Enjoyment:
Go to a local animal shelter
Let your child help make Thanksgiving dinner, with all the sights and smells
Get ready for the cold explore different types of hats and the difference between gloves and mittens
Explore the frost on a cold morning
Where does snow come from, the first snowy day is always the best day!!!!!
 
Reach for the Stars…..Planning for the Future:
Exploring the possibilities now will prepare you for making an informed decision about what's best for your child as his third birthday approaches. As you learn about preschool options for him, you may find that you have more than one choice of where he can go to school. Read more at: http://www.familyconnect.org/parentsite.asp?SectionID=75&TopicID=353
 
The Philosophy of Learning Together:
As the holidays quickly approach, many of my parents have asked me about toys appropriate for their children who are blind or visual impairments. Below is a list of websites, which have quality toys that would benefit your child’s development. 
 
 
The toys on this website are available at Target. A large selection of toys for infants and preschool children are located on the company’s website. I especially like the puzzles.
 
Dragon Fly Toy Company is a large web site with toys that specialize in multisensory approach to learning. 
 
Enabling Devices is a company that specializes in adapted toys for children with unique learning needs. 
 
Smart Start Toys has educational toys with a focus on dyspraxia and visually impaired children. Remember to change the currency to dollars.
 
Please remember that a lot of toys that I use during vision sessions are found locally in large discount department stores. I also find great items in the “Dollar Bin” at Target!!!!!
 
Web sites for additional information:
 
A slide show/photos simulating vision impairments (eg RP, scotomas, hemianopia, haemorrhage, cataract) with notes, which are read aloud as a commentary.
 
American Foundation for the Blind has a wonderful website especially for parent with children who are blind or visual impairment. Under the education you will find information regarding EI and preschool.
 
 
Something to Think About:
Incidental Learning: What Is It?
Did you know that educators believe more than 80 per cent of what children learn comes to them through their vision? If you find that surprising, think of what happens when you enter a room. At a glance, you'll typically see and understand the contents of the room, who's there, what they're doing, and, if there's a window in the room, even what the weather is outside. Much of what children learn is acquired almost automatically and instantaneously—that is, incidentally—as they watch other children and adults interact with the environment and imitate their actions. Incidental learning is learning gained by observing people and activities around us, day by day. Read more on the following webpage: http://www.familyconnect.org/parentsite.asp?SectionID=75&TopicID=351&DocumentID=3849
 
 
The Sensory System
 
The Senses:
 
Visual - sight
 
Auditory - hearing
 
Tactile – light touch, pain, pressure, temperature, ability to discriminate objects from each other, ability to identify localization of touch
 
Proprioceptive – joint position, position of body parts in relation to each other
 
Vestibular – movement of body in response to gravity and awareness of body in space
 
Sensory Integration: The ability to connect the relevant information taken in by our senses from the world around us and form an appropriate response to this information while filtering out irrelevant information. Sensory integration should be part of typical development of the nervous system. 
 
Sensory Integration Dysfunction: The inability to respond appropriately to sensory input. Children with sensory integration dysfunction can be either:
 
-          Hyper-reactive: overly sensitive to sensory input (afraid of movement, won’t touch/eat certain textures, avoidance of activities, limited exploration)
 
-          Hypo-reactive: poor registration of sensory input (seek out movement, low arousal, lethargic, clumsy)
 
Both types of sensory integration dysfunction can greatly impact a child’s academic skills, social skills, motor skills, communication skills, and self-help skills.
 
Symptoms of Sensory Integration Dysfunction: 
 
-          Poor postural control, slouching, difficulty sitting upright
-          Difficulty manipulating objects, poor pencil grasp
-          Trips over things, bumps into things
-          Easily distracted
-          Tantrums, easily frustrated
-          Overly sensitive to loud noises
-          Aggressive behavior
-          Flapping hands
-          Mouthing objects, grinding teeth
-          Spinning objects or self
-          Running, continuous movement
 
Treatment Strategies for Sensory Integration Dysfunction:
 
-          Sensory diet
-          Weighted or pressure vest
-          Brushing
-          Chew tubes
-          Therapy ball
-          Movement breaks
-          Heavy work activities
 
Other Considerations for working with Sensory Integration Dysfunction:
 
-          Keeping schedules, routines
-          Quiet corners
-          Giving direct, simple directions
-          Allow opportunities for needed input