Children with Vision Impairment: Assessment, Development and Management

Vision impairment is a long-term condition caused by disorders of the eye, optic nerve, and brain. Using evidence-based knowledge, theory, and research, this book provides practical guidance for practitioners who are involved in the care and management of children with long-term vision impairment and disability. The book is divided into four sections following the ICF-CY model: (1) eye disorders, vision and brain, (2) child development and learning from birth to older childhood, (3) habilitation, orientation, reading and assistive technologies and (4) social relationships and participation in everyday contexts.

• International team of experts present up to date vision and neuroscience research and assessment and management approaches.
• Multidisciplinary approaches for improving function, learning and activity in children with vision impairment.
• New approach to childhood vision impairment with a focus on assessment, function and participation.
• Covering all vision disorders and levels of vision impairment, including eye disorders, cerebral vision impairment and complex disability.

A useful resource for developmental/and neurodisability paediatricians and clinicians including clinical, neuro- and educational psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists; paediatric ophthalmologists and eye clinic staff; mobility/habilitation specialists, educationalists of vision impairment and others; community family support and social care workers.

Naomi Dale is a Consultant Clinical psychologist and Paediatric Neuropsychologist (Neurodisability) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London UK and Professor in Paediatric Neurodisability (with specialist interest in Vision Neurodisability) at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health London, specialising in vision neurodisability and neurodevelopmental disorders. Naomi is a leading senior professional and clinical lead in the field of developmental visual impairment and Chief Investigator of the Developmental Vision research programme – a national grant-funded research programme, which is internationally renowned.

Alison Salt is Honorary Consultant Paediatrician (Neurodisability) and Honorary Associate Professor, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children London UK, and UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and a senior co-investigator in the Developmental Vision research programme. Alison is a consultant Paediatrician in the Paediatric Rehabilitation Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth Children’s Hospital, Western Australia and Clinical Associate Professor, University of Western Australia. Alison has many years of clinical and research expertise in the field of childhood visual impairment and complex neurodevelopmental disorders.

Jenefer Sargent has worked as a Consultant Paediatrician in the Neurodisability service at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children UK since 2001, working within the multidisciplinary Developmental Vision Clinic and the Developmental Communication service. She has expertise in the developmental consequences of severe visual impairment, and the visual, communication and learning needs of children with severe motor speech impairment and teaches on both these topics regularly at local and national level.

Rebecca Greenaway is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Paediatric Neuropsychologist within the Neurodisability Service at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children London UK. Rebecca has expertise in developmental, cognitive and neuropsychological assessment of children with neurodevelopmental needs, including children with genetic, metabolic and neurological conditions.  Rebecca’s research interests include autism, visual impairment, epilepsy and metabolic conditions.