Cortical Visual Impairment: Special Topics
Christine Roman-Lantzy, Ph.D. is the Director of the Pediatric VIEW (Vision Information and Evaluation at West Penn Hospital) Program in Pittsburgh, and a private consultant for CVI Resources. A teacher of visually impaired students, certified orientation and mobility specialist, and infant developmentalist, Dr. Roman-Lantzy is also a CVI project leader for the American Printing House for the Blind. Dr. Roman-Lantzy is the author of the book, Cortical Visual Impairment-An Approach to Assessment and Intervention.
My Journey – 10 minutes
Dr. Christine Roman-Lantzy tells about her earliest experiences in the field of vision services and what led to her interest in discovering more about those children with cortical visual impairment.
CVI Overview – Basic Principles – 25 minutes
Look into how and why CVI occurs. This segment provides a good basis for anyone new to working with a child with CVI.
CVI Range – 28 minutes
The CVI Range determines a person’s level of visual functioning and the effect of the various characteristics of CVI on that particular child. This segment takes a look at the purpose and use of this assessment tool.
Cortical Visual Impairment
Using the scores from the CVI Range, this segment takes a look at the educational applications for the three phases.
Strategies and Program Planning for Individuals with CVI – Principles and Practice – 32 minutes
After a quick review of the basics, IFSP/IEP development is reviewed. Dr. Roman shows how the results from the CVI Range can be used for effective program planning and determination of accommodations. She describes that in the context of the Phases.
Slow Moving? 30 minutes
People often ask what to do when they are not seeing progress with their child or student’s vision. Dr. Roman gives suggestions for taking a look at strategies for children assessed in Phase I and Phase III of CVI when the team is not seeing progress.
Vision Services and CVI – 33 minutes
The needs of children with CVI in early intervention and school programs is determined after they are deemed eligible. Functional Vision Assessments are used in the determination of services. Program planning is imperative for the child.
Medical Conditions Associated with CVI – 30 minutes
It is helpful for families and service providers to understand the causes and conditions that may cause CVI.
Orientation and Mobility for children with CVI – 17 minutes
The principles of O&M, orientation in space and safe and efficient movement through space must be considered for children with CVI.
CVI and Social Development – 35 minutes
How does CVI impact the social development of children? Often this topic is overlooked but access to appropriate interactions between themselves and others should be considered for children with CVI.
Children with CVI and Complex Communication Needs – 34 minutes
A collaborative project with Dr. Sarah Blackstone to look at the vision, language, learning, communication and participation of children who have CVI and complex communication needs.
Interview with a Parent – 45 minutes
The Parent Interview is the one of three components of a CVI assessment. Debbie Woodson talks with Dr. Roman about her daughter’s vision.
What We Learned from the Parent Interview – 15 minutes
Dr. Roman discusses the information reported in the Parent Interview in light of the ten characteristics related to CVI.
System Considerations in a statewide program for students with CVI – 26 minutes
Dr. Roman-Lantz and Annette Carey, WV Department of Education’s Low Incidence Coordinator and Director of WV SenseAbilities Deafblind Project, discuss how services for children with CVI were designed and implemented in West Virginia.
A discussion of the Multi-disciplinary Team around a student with CVI in a school system – 41 minutes
Erin Bashaw, Teacher of the Visually Impaired; Crystal Bennington, Occupational Therapist; Lee Ann Brammer, Speech Language Pathologist talk with Dr. Roman-Lantzy about the varying roles played by team members of different disciplines. An integrated approach to ensuring success for the children takes the commitment of many professionals as well as the family members.
A discussion around Early Intervention Teams serving infants and toddlers with CVI – 43 minutes
A critical time for diagnosis, assessment and intervention is during the period when Birth to Three services are being provided. Dr. Roman-Lantzy has a conversation about that critical period for children with CVI, the services available, what supports are needed and how families and team members can work together for the benefit of the child.