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 http://www.answers.com/topic/optokinetic-nystagmus-gif, then find

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 < or > 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 haslearned 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 forother 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 obtainspecial equipment when working with

visually impaired students? A: “Necessary”, no...but helpful if the studentdoes not have access to tools for easier work.

Q: Why can’t vision impaired studentsjust 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 tutorshould know when working with vision impaired.

A: The process of improving techniques is on-going as with all students.