Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)

Programs

Learning to Look

Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is the leading cause of visual impairment in children in developed countries. Yet, it is misunderstood and difficult to diagnose. TEAMability offers the region’s only program for assessment and intervention for children 0-22 who have, or are suspected of having, CVI. Parent education and support is an important part of this program.

CVI requires a very different approach to learning and instructional materials. It presents the unique challenge of supporting the use of vision in all environments—school, play, home and community. Provided with appropriate visual activities, children with CVI can be expected to demonstrate measurable progress in their visual functioning. Collaboration, parent involvement and education are keys to success for the child.

Children with CVI often have healthy eyes & normal results on an eye exam.

Characteristics of CVI

Attraction to certain colors
Watching things that move
Delayed visual responses
Preferred visual field
Difficulty with cluttered pictures
Need for objects to be lighted
Difficulty with distance viewing
Difficulty looking at new things
Unable to look and reach simultaneously

CVI Range Assessment

The first step to improved visual functioning is completion of the CVI Range Assessment. The CVI Range was developed by Dr. Christine Roman-Lantzy to evaluate the extent of the effect of the 10 visual and behavioral characteristics associated with CVI. The CVI Range measures visual functioning and can be used to describe how children with CVI see. Appropriate, meaningful intervention activities based on the CVI Range Score, and the child’s preferences and motivators are designed and carried out in specialized visual learning environments at TEAMability.

Family Education

Parent participation is essential to a child’s success. Active parent participation in the program:

Increases understanding of the diagnosis of CVI;
Explains and simplifies their child’s current level of visual functioning;
Allows parents to help their child “learn to look” in the home environment;
Helps parents become advocates for their child’s visual needs in school and the community.

How to Participate

For more information about our CVI Program contact Bonnie Jensen-DuBois by email at bdubois@teamability.org

Bonnie Jensen-DuBois, M.Ed., Coordinator 
Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired;
Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist;
Assistive Technology Specialist

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