[Aer-div07] vision therapy research

[Kevin Hollinger]

We too see a lot of students referred to us while they are participating in OVT. In the St. Louis area, there are a few OVT providers. Interestingly, multiple families have received evaluations with recommendations for services but when the family's insurance states it will not be covered, the need disappears and the families all get the same "worksheets/handouts" for home therapy. 
  I personally think any intervention that can help ANY kid is a great thing but there is a drammatic interplay b/t what a Certified Vision Teacher, OT, Reading Specialist or O&M do versus the Vision Therapist. 
  Another comment for thought is that OVT is a therapy, and in my experience, students I've been exposed to that participate in OVT quickly lose any gains they make when the sessions are stopped (for whatever reason). The articles initially attached to this chain suggested as much, as well. The articles also stated that OVT does not target VISUAL PROCESSING and/or VISUAL ATTENTION - two factors that have educational implications in reading, math, spelling, writing, etc. 
  I think it's interesting that the research is so varied among those providing the services. 

"Murphy, Lynn" <lynn.murphy at aiu3.net> wrote:
                This continues to be a hot topic. We do much the same as an educational agency. We provide information on resources but do not provide services from a teacher of the Blind/Visually Impaired as they do not hold the appropriate certification. We do get the reading specialist involved and possibly the OT in the educational setting but stand firm that vision therapy is a clinical habilitation service and not a service provided by a certified teacher.
   
  Lynn
   
      
---------------------------------
  
  From: aer-div07-bounces at lists.aerbvi.org [mailto:aer-div07-bounces at lists.aerbvi.org] On Behalf Of Sandra Stirnweis
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 10:13 AM
To: aer-div07 at lists.aerbvi.org; aernet at lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: Re: [Aer-div07] vision therapy research

   
  We were discussing this exact issue with our low vision optometrist yesterday as a student had some form somewhere with vision therapy type goal in the IEP that the parent expected the VI teacher to provide.  Our Doctor says there is quite a bit of research that validates vision therapy.  HOWEVER, she emphasized that it needed to be done in the clinicians office and that the lay person trying to provide vision therapy on their own could actually do more harm than good.  Neither Low Vision Therapists nor Teachers of the Visually Impaired are trained in vision therapy techniques and should not be providing this service.  We can be helpful by providing resources of properly certified centers and practitioners who can.  Our doctor also said that if the program is done properly with the necessary parent involvement the individual will see positive results within six month.  She also said that about half of the time insurance companies will pay for it.  Our own low vision
 clinic does not provide low vision therapy.
  Sandra


    -----Original Message----- 
      From: aernet-bounces at lists.aerbvi.org [mailto:aernet-bounces at lists.aerbvi.org] On Behalf Of Sheila Amato
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 4:57 PM
To: aernet at lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: [AERNet] vision therapy research

   
    hello, all - the topic of vision therapy surfaces occasionally on our listserv. I do believe that I've always read that there is no quantitative data to prove that it works. I mentioned that concern to a local optometrist and he sent me 2 research studies that advocate for vision therapy as a proven intervention for convergence insufficiency and some of the other issues involving binocular vision and eye teaming. 

     

    I'm going to attempt to attach these two files; I don't know if they will make it through the Aernet filter. If they do, I would appreciate your thoughts on this research. If they don't make it through, I will gladly forward them to anyone who wants to receive them if you send me your email address off list. 

     

    Sheila

    brltrans at verizon.net 






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