DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT: ROLE OF THE TEACHER OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED/DEAFBLIND ADVISOR WORKSHOP 2005 Tom Miller Perkins School for the Blind

DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT Role of vision in development Vision loss impacts all developmental areas Ophthalmological assessments--- low vision assessment Functional Vision assessment Developmental Assessment Learning Media Assessment

Role of vision in development

Vision loss impacts all developmental areas

Ophthalmological assessments--- low vision assessment

Functional Vision assessment

Developmental Assessment

Learning Media Assessment

Role of Vision in Early Development Sight is the sense through which the brain receives 75% of its information.

Sight is the sense through which the brain receives 75% of its information.

Role of Vision in Early Development Sight is made possible by the eye serving as a channel through which visual information is received.

Sight is made possible by the eye serving as a channel through which visual information is received.

Role of Vision in Early Development The eye collects information about size, shape, color and it sends it to the brain for interpretation.

The eye collects information about size, shape, color and it sends it to the brain for interpretation.

Role of Vision in Early Development The process by which the brain interprets information is called vision.

The process by which the brain interprets information is called vision.

Role of Vision in Early Development Vision is the fastest and most efficient sense for receiving information.

Vision is the fastest and most efficient sense for receiving information.

Role of Vision in Early Development In infancy and early childhood, the role of vision is to: MOTIVATE GUIDE and VERIFY the child’s interaction with others and the environment.

In infancy and early childhood, the role of vision is to:

MOTIVATE

GUIDE and

VERIFY the child’s interaction with others and the environment.

Role of Vision in Early Development A visual impairment creates a problem of ACCESS. A loss of the INCIDENTAL LEARNING we all take for granted.

A visual impairment creates a problem of ACCESS.

A loss of the INCIDENTAL LEARNING we all take for granted.

Role of Vision in Early Development Without intervention hearing and touch do not equal vision in terms of the quality of information received.

Without intervention hearing and touch do not equal vision in terms of the quality of information received.

Role of Assessment Assessment should include information about how a child learns, not just about what a child is able to do.

Assessment should include information about how a child learns, not just about what a child is able to do.

Role of Assessment Assessment identifies the child’s current level of functioning Assessment results in the setting of developmentally appropriate goals for the child

Assessment identifies the child’s current level of functioning

Assessment results in the setting of developmentally appropriate goals for the child

Role of Assessment Assessment should include information from multiple sources Medical Family Teachers and others involved in the child’s daily care or educational program

Assessment should include information from multiple sources

Medical

Family

Teachers and others involved in the child’s daily care or educational program

Role of Assessment Assessment should look at how a child learns across multiple settings/tasks Indoors, outdoors, group or individual activities, movement or sitting activities, etc.

Assessment should look at how a child learns across multiple settings/tasks

Indoors, outdoors, group or individual activities, movement or sitting activities, etc.

Assessment Components Review medical information Crucial to assessment of young children with visual impairments is understanding ophthalmological and low vision report information

Review medical information

Crucial to assessment of young children with visual impairments is understanding ophthalmological and low vision report information

Assessment Components Interviews and Observation Obtain information from caregivers, early intervention or educational staff about child’s interaction with adults, peers, and objects within home or school activities.

Interviews and Observation

Obtain information from caregivers, early intervention or educational staff about child’s interaction with adults, peers, and objects within home or school activities.

Assessment Components Perform a functional vision evaluation to determine how a child is using their vision across multiple tasks and environments To determine ways to enhance visual efficiency or compensatory skill use to access learning.

Perform a functional vision evaluation to determine how a child is using their vision across multiple tasks and environments

To determine ways to enhance visual efficiency or compensatory skill use to access learning.

Assessment Components Perform a developmental assessment to determine child’s current level of functioning and to set developmentally appropriate goals. Most common developmental assessments are: The Oregon Project and INSITE

Perform a developmental assessment to determine child’s current level of functioning and to set developmentally appropriate goals.

Most common developmental assessments are: The Oregon Project and INSITE

Assessment Components Areas of Assessment include; Gross motor/Orientation and Mobility Fine Motor– hand skills Communication– Expressive and Receptive

Areas of Assessment include;

Gross motor/Orientation and Mobility

Fine Motor– hand skills

Communication– Expressive and Receptive

Assessment Components Areas of Assessment include; Cognition– Pre and Academic Skills Social Skills Self Help Skills Compensatory Skills– Learning style

Areas of Assessment include;

Cognition– Pre and Academic Skills

Social Skills

Self Help Skills

Compensatory Skills– Learning style

Assessment Components Adequate assessment requires a team approach Medical professionals– teachers of the visually impaired or deafblind–- caregivers and other educators or therapists all contribute essential information to the comprehensive assessment of a child with visual impairments

Adequate assessment requires a team approach

Medical professionals– teachers of the visually impaired or deafblind–- caregivers and other educators or therapists all contribute essential information to the comprehensive assessment of a child with visual impairments