SEE VI 

FUNCTIONAL VISION ASSESSMENTS

While clinical assessment by the ophthalmologists and the low vision clinic are crucial, they are often done in a controlled environment that is different from the usual natural setting your child is accustomed to and performs in. Hence, relying solely on medical and clinical assessment is not enough when trying to understand how your child sees (visual functioning).

In addition, individuals with the same visual condition and acuity level may use their vision quite differently from one another. At the same time, a person’s vision may also fluctuate depending on environmental factors, like the level of lighting and contrast, and the task at hand.

A Functional Vision Assessment (FVA) assesses what a person is able or unable to see in normal daily situations. It should reflect your child’s typical use of vision during a series of ordinary activities, as well as your child’s potential for developing new visual functions. It is carried out through interviews and observations of the person in his / her usual environment (at home, at school, in the classroom, etc), and evaluates the various modifications and accommodations that can best help the child perform.

THE ASSESSMENT
The FVA involves the examination of individuals through interviews and observations within their natural or typical settings, such as at home, school, or within the community. Sometimes, where observations or assessment in a specific environment is difficult to obtain, it would then be necessary to assess the child in a specialised setting where some environmental features can be controlled.

The Assessment can take up to several hours over a few days to complete, depending on the ability and fatigue level of the child. Under no circumstances will your child be subjected to assessment if he or she is experiencing either visual or physical fatigue.

THE REPORT
At the end of the Assessment, a partial or full report (as requested by the family) will be presented. The report will describe the functional vision of the child, including his or her color and contrast sensitivity. Recommendations will be made on how we can enhance the visual functioning of the child, and what other steps need to be taken to help the child.

The FVA report forms the basis for all other educational assessment for children with visual impairments – the assistive technology assessment, the learning media assessment, as well as the orientation and mobility assessment.

UNDERSTANDING THE EXPANDED CORE CURRICULUM AS PART OF VI SPECIALLY DESIGNED INSTRUCTION

Visual Perception Testing:
This evaluates the individual's ability to process and interpret visual information, including tasks like recognizing objects, matching shapes, and interpreting spatial relationships. 

1. Novel Eye-Tracking Paradigms:
   These techniques can provide insights into how an individual's visual system responds to different stimuli and tasks. 

2. Direct Assessment:
   This involves observing the individual's visual responses to a variety of visual targets under different conditions (e.g., different distances, lighting, and objects). 

3. CVI Range Assessment:
   This is a specific type of functional vision assessment that can be used to guide intervention strategies. 

Observation of Visual Behaviors:

1. CVI Characteristics:
   An evaluation for CVI will examine the presence of specific visual behaviors that are characteristic of CVI, such as a preference for moving objects, a need for light, or difficulty with visual discrimination. 

2. Functional Visual Assessment:
   This involves observing how an individual uses their vision in daily activities and tasks, including tasks like reaching for objects, following instructions, and interacting with others. 

3. Environmental Assessment:
   This evaluates how the environment (e.g., lighting, clutter, color) may impact an individual's vision and learning. 

Ongoing-monitoring and Intervention:

1. Vision Rehabilitation:
   This may involve a variety of interventions, such as visual stimulation, assistive technology, and environmental modifications, to help individuals with CVI make the most of their vision. 

2. Family and Educational Team Involvement:
   Working with families and educators is crucial to ensure that individuals with CVI receive the support they need to learn and thrive. 

By using a combination of these assessment methods, professionals can develop a comprehensive understanding of an individual's visual functioning and create a tailored intervention plan to maximize their visual potential.