Strategy To See

Diane Sheline offers a variety of Presentations and Training Sessions to meet the needs of Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, Parents who have children with a visual impairment, and others in the field of educating students who have a visual impairment or other brain damage related vision loss.  Presentations and Trainings include, but are not limited to, the following;

Cortical Visual Impairment: Identification, Assessment, and Intervention

Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is now the leading cause of visual impairment in children in the western world.  In this presentation, participants will learn methods to identify children with Cortical Visual Impairment as well as skills for more accurate assessment.  Suggestions will be discussed on how to incorporate assessment results into Functional Vision Evaluations and Orientation and Mobility Evaluations.  Participants will learn how to develop appropriate techniques and intervention strategies to use with this most challenging population.

The Functional Vision Evaluation with a Student who has Cortical Visual Impairment

In this presentation, participants will learn about strategies and techniques, which will prepare them for an evaluation with a student who has a diagnosis of CVI (or a student who demonstrates characteristics of CVI).  They will learn how to write a rough draft of the Functional Vision Evaluation (FVE) report, and as they observe a guest student, be guided through the evaluation process, using specific materials, techniques, forms, and strategies.  Participants will gain experience in using the CVI Resolution Chart (developed by Dr. Christine Roman) while observing the guest student (who has a diagnosis of CVI) in action.  A discussion will follow on scoring the CVI Resolution Chart and how to integrate information gained during the evaluation process into their FVE report.

The FVE and the LMA

In this presentation, participants will learn about new techniques to use when completing their Functional Vision Evaluation and Learning Media Assessment.  Templates will be given out that loosely correspond with the APH FVLMA, as well as much more.  Participants will learn about new materials to use during their evaluations, including use of the new CVI Complexity Sequences (by APH), lights, and simple materials to make which will give valuable information on how each student uses their vision in a functional setting.  Participants will gain a better understanding of how their Learning Media Assessments can be packed with useful information for parents, teacher and other support staff.   NOTE:  Participants are encouraged to bring along their copy of the APH FVLMA. The FVLMA (by APH) will be referred to, throughout this presentation.

The Functional Vision Evaluation with an Afternoon of “Make and Take”

During this presentation, participants will learn new techniques to use while completing their Functional Vision Evaluations.  The recently released APH FVLMA will be discussed and loosely followed throughout this presentation.  Participants are encouraged to bring their copy of the FVLMA.  In addition, participants will learn about new materials to use with students who might be challenging to assess appropriately.  During the afternoon, participants will have an opportunity to create materials, which will supplement their Functional Vision Evaluation Kits.

CVI Parent Information Session

During this 2-hour session, Parents and Caretaker will learn about Cortical Visual Impairment and what they can do at home to increase visual attending behavior in their child.  School districts have offered this presentation, the evening before a teacher training, to help parents of children with CVI or other brain damage related vision loss.