Occupational Therapy and Children’s Functional visual performance

Does OT treatment of visual skills improve functional outcomes for children with visual-perceptual/ visual-motor impairments?

Sensory Integration

Fine motor

Vision Therapy

Vision therapy (VT) Well supported by research Role of behavioral optometrist Role of occupational therapy Collaboration Outcomes

Evidence  VT for oculomotor, accommodative, and binocular system disorders

Evidence  VT for visual-motor integration

Evidence  VT for oculomotor, accommodative, and binocular system disorders  VT for visual-motor integration OT/ OD collaboration in treating patients

Implications for Consumers Occupational Therapy Screen vision Refer vision issues Vision therapy under supervision of OD

Implications for Consumers Optometry Refer handwriting, play skills, gross/fine motor coordination, psychosocial development, or sensory motor/sensory integration issues

Implications for OT Practitioners  Educate ophthalmologists and optometrists about how OT can enhance outcomes

Implications for OT Practitioners  Educate ophthalmologists and optometrists about how OT can enhance outcomes  Work: reading, handwriting, drawing, cutting, etc

Implications for OT Practitioners  Educate ophthalmologists and optometrists about how OT can enhance outcomes  Work: reading, handwriting, drawing, cutting, etc  Play: puzzles, drawing, sports,

Implications for OT Practitioners  Educate ophthalmologists and optometrists about how OT can enhance outcomes  Work: reading, handwriting, drawing, cutting, etc  Play: puzzles, drawing, sports,  Self-care: reduced frustration leading to more appropriate behavior

Implications for OT Practitioners  Share observations about the child’s vision during functional tasks

Implications for OT Practitioners  Share observations about the child’s vision during functional tasks  Encourage compliance with VT and glasses

Implications for Researchers  Outcome studies investigating collaboration efforts are needed

Implications for Researchers  Outcome studies investigating collaboration efforts are needed  More rigorous studies of VT for visual motor integration

Best Practice  Build on the strengths of each profession

Best Practice  Build on the strengths of each profession  Determine efficacy on a case-by case basis

Build collaboration!