Tutoring Students with Various Visual Disorders Techniques for Tutorial Use A Presentation for Use by The Association of Tutoring Professionals On-line Workshop 2008 Presenter: Debra A. Boyle, M.Ed.; Redmond, Washington

Q: How common is this type of student? A: Not very…but when you encounter their special disability, you will need to know what works.

Q: Are visually disabled students blind so that they have no sight at all? A: No…not all students who are “visually disabled” have lost complete sight.

Q: What causes vision disorders in students I may be assisting? A: There are a variety of causes you should be informed of for best tutorial success. Common Types of Vision Disorders ►Strabismus (crossed eyes) ● one or both eyes turn in, out, down, up ● inability to develop binocularity (use of both eyes together) ● surgery + vision therapy treatable ● no treatment leads to Amblyopia ►Amblyopia (one eye reduced vision) ● failure to develop binocularity or focus disorder Strabismus ● surgery, vision therapy, glasses, patching, or Rx drops treatable ● 2-3% incidence visual impairment due to no treatment

Common Types of Vision Disorders (cont.) ►Retinopathy of Prematurity (vision impaired at retina due to premature birth time) ● result of premature birth difficulties ● laser surgery treatment yet unsuccessful for 28% ● retinal detachment if treatment fails ►Pathologic Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)( go to then findhttp:// this photo to watch video movements back-and-forth of Nystagmus eye) ● damage to vestibular system by congenital cause, head trauma, tumor, MS ● not treatable, but medications show promise ►Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) (gradual vision loss from peripheral to center) ● inherited diseases causing retinal degeneration (Usher syndrome, rod-cone disease, Refsum disease, etc.) ● photoreceptor cell mutates to protein imbalance ● nutritional therapy of Vit. A and DHA treatment helpful (research needed) Retinitis Pigmentosa ►Dyslexia (neurological disorder whereby reading/writing becomes difficult due to reversal or “mirror image” views seen) ● genetic, neurological causes ● (please see separate module on “Dyslexia Tutoring Techniques”) ►Visual Conversion Reaction (VCR) (psychological disorder causing various neurological problems with vision) ● mimics dyslexia in that handwriting and reading become difficult and inaccurate ● wide range of symptoms from distorted vision, vertigo disorders, eye discomfort, etc.

Q: So if a visually impaired student has learned how to cope from birth with limited vision, why seek help from a tutor? A : Tutors need to offer their help for visually impaired students in the same way as for other students.

Q: Then how does a tutor begin working with a visually impaired student? A : Begin by gaining knowledge of what your student has and doesn’t have, and proceed from that point.

Q: Is it really necessary to obtain special equipment when working with visually impaired students? A : “Necessary”, no...but helpful if the student does not have access to tools for easier work.

Q: Why can’t vision impaired students just learn Braille and use Braille texts/books? A : Braille is difficult, and not always made available via texts.

Q: Are there any other techniques a tutor should know when working with vision impaired. A : The process of improving techniques is on-going as with all students.