A family with a child who is blind or visually impaired may be receiving early intervention services from therapists in many different fields. PT, OT, SLP. No wonder the semantics can get confusing for parents. When an EI-TVI from A Shared Vision is added to the plan, they are often labeled “therapists” too. Let’s set this misnomer straight. Early Intervention Teachers of the Visually Impaired are NOT vision therapists. Here’s the difference.
Early Intervention Teachers of the Visually Impaired are licensed special educators with advanced degrees focused on children with blindness and visual impairment. They provide education and strategies for caregivers of children (birth to age three) with blindness or visual impairment to help children learn to use all their senses to maximize overall development during their critical years.
Vision therapy involves doctor-supervised eye exercises to correct sensorimotor and/or visual-perceptual problems. The goal is to train the brain to process visual information more efficiently. It is not an early intervention service supported by IDEA Part C; however, it may be covered by private insurance and/or Medicaid.
When we occasionally receive a referral for vision therapy, we talk to the family first about how their child uses their vision and if the family has met with a pediatric ophthalmologist for a diagnosis. “I do my best to help families understand the differences between EI-TVI and vision therapy services so they can make an informed decision on what would be most beneficial for them,” explains Paula Landry, an EI-TVI and co-founder of A Shared Vision.
Learn more about the differences HERE.
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