1) Acquired brain injury (ABI) can cause physical, cognitive, sensory and psychosocial impairments through causes like strokes, head trauma, and degenerative diseases. 2) Around 2.2 million people in the US acquire brain injuries annually. Neurological vision impairment occurs in 30-35% of ABI patients but often goes undiagnosed. 3) Vision therapy is not a standard of care for ABI patients despite affecting daily living, while physiotherapy and other therapies usually are standards of care.

1. 1 Assessment and Training for people with Neurological Vision Deficits NVT: Developed by Clinicians, for Clinicians

3. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) implies trauma to the head and brain caused by an external force.

6. Neurological Vision Deficits

8. It would be standard care to receive:

9. Physiotherapy– for improvement in loss of body functions or reduced movement.

10. Occupational Therapy – to increase upper body strength and activities of daily living.

11. Speech Therapy - swallowing, word pronunciation, comprehension etc

12. In many instances there is no minimum clinical standard of care that covers Vision Screening for people with ABI

14. 8 NVT Protocol Functional Vision Assessment

16. Visual processing speed

17. Visual Memory

21. Visuo-spatial deficits

22. Visual processing deficits

23. Left Hemiparesis & Balance

25. 13 Pen and Paper Tasks Transfer of scanning skills to table top tasks. Systematic scanning pattern Smooth scanning across a line in preparation for reading

26. 14 Transfer to Walking and Scanning Step by step methodology in the transfer of scanning skills to mobility tasks in a graded fashion in a client’s local community.

27. 15 Progression - Scanning Skills Outdoors

28. 16 Supermarket Shopping Transferring scanning skills into everyday community settings. Preparation for independent living.

29. 17 Street Crossings, Car Parks Transfer from walking frame to support cane. Ensuring balance, gait and Scanning skills are not compromised.

30. 18 Residential Area - Driveways Transfer of scanning skills into residential settings. Scanning into driveways for potential hazards Good head turn, chin over shoulder for self monitoring

31. 19 The NVT Vision Rehabilitation System NVT Scanning Device - Standardised Assessment and Treatment protocols 2. Vision 2000 Software - rehabilitation and patient management system 3. Comprehensive Training program for rehabilitation therapists.

33. VA Palo Alto, California – Oct 2006, 08, 10

34. VA Tampa, Florida – Oct/Nov 2007

35. UK Blindness Agencies

36. Fife Society for the Blind – Jan 2006

37. Visibility Glasgow – Nov 2007

38. Denmark– IBOS June 2010

39. Exeter – WESC School Oct 2010

40. Australia – (20 yrs service delivery)

41. Royal Society for the Blind – May 2007, 08

43. Module 1 - Structure and function of the brain in relation to Visual Processing.

44. Module 2 – Neurological Vision Deficits

45. On site training

46. Practical use of NVT Scanning device and Vision 2000 software

47. Supervision of client training programs

48. Transfer of skills to mobility exercises.

49. strategies for dealing with the additional cognitive and physical deficits

51. Development of vocational training and services to young people with ABI

52. Home based rehabilitation programs for Stroke and ABI