Functional Vision Evaluation

1. Functional Vision Evaluation Tips on getting it done

2. This is Important!! • A Functional Vision Evaluation is one of the most important aspects of your job as a professional in visual impairment • Helps guide instructional programming • Helps identify needs and solutions • Provides information upon which others will base assessment • COMS • Diagnostician and others

3. Use a Framework • Follow your protocol (especially when you are new!) • It will help ensure you don’t miss anything • It will help you to record information • It will also help you identify items you want to look at again

4. Select Appropriate Materials • Make targets interesting and age/ability appropriate • Use language/gestures that the student can understand and/or will respond to appropriately • Match tests to the students ability • Reading materials • Non-verbal • LEP • Hearing

5. Timing • Be as quick as you can… But • Allow time for the student to respond– DON’T RUSH (you can and should come back)

6. Control the Environment • Avoid distractions • Don’t overstay • Adapt to the student • May not want to put all your materials out • May want to let the child “assess”you • Build rapport

7. Have Back-ups • Lights • Pens • Paper • Markers

8. Do your Homework • Pre-Observation • Records review • Observations • Protocol Completions • Additional Direct Assessment • Write recommendations • Write final report

9. Use Your Time • Make your observations count • See what other students are doing • Observe interactions • Assess functioning in different environments • Different lighting • Different times of day • Different settings • Observe/Interview other teachers or staff who are successful with the student • you can learn a lot and build rapport

10. Ask Questions • Interview Parents • Interview Teachers • Observe/Interview other teachers or staff who are successful with the student • You can learn a lot and build rapport • You can also find out if you are getting the best effort from the student

11. Make your Report Useful • Help others understand what the student’s condition • Make useful and practical recommendations • Be available to assist, explain, or provide training

12. Provide Descriptions and Explanations • Give examples of abilities • Explain all terms • Use language that can actually help others help your student

13. YOU MUST ALSO ADDRESS NEW LEGISLATION • Include a COMS as part of your assessment team • Complete an evaluation of the expanded core curriculum (ECC) needs of the student • EVALS Kit • Other tool used locally • AND YOU MUST deliver instruction in the areas of need identified

14. Use Your Assessments • They determine needs – what areas you need to address • They drive your planning -IEP development • They drive your service time - ***New scale called the VISSIT coming soon • They determine where YOU can make a difference