Visual Perception Problems in Children With AD/HD, Autism, And Other Learning Disabilities

108 Pages·2006·1.14 MB·English

by  Lisa A. Kurtz

Visual Perception Problems in Children
with AD/HD, Autism, and Other
Learning Disabilities
alsobyLisaA.Kurtz
HowtoHelpaClumsyChild
StrategiesforYoungChildrenwithDevelopmentalMotorConcerns
ISBN1843107546
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Visual Perception Problems
in Children with AD/HD, Autism,
and Other Learning Disabilities
A Guide for Parents and Professionals
Lisa A. Kurtz
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
London and Philadelphia
Firstpublishedin2006
byJessicaKingsleyPublishers
116PentonvilleRoad
LondonN19JB,UK
and
400MarketStreet,Suite400
Philadelphia,PA19106,USA
www.jkp.com
Copyright©LisaA.Kurtz2006
Allrightsreserved.Nopartof thispublicationmaybereproducedinanymaterialform(including
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accordancewiththeprovisionsof theCopyright,DesignsandPatentsAct1988orunderthetermsof a
licenceissuedbytheCopyrightLicensingAgencyLtd,90TottenhamCourtRoad,London,EnglandW1T
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Allpagesmarked(cid:1)maybephotocopiedforpersonaluse,butmaynotbereproducedforanyother
purposewithoutthepermissionof thepublisher.
Libraryof CongressCataloginginPublicationData
Kurtz,LisaA.
VisualperceptionproblemsinchildrenwithAD/HD,autismandotherlearningdisabilities:aguidefor
parentsandprofessionals/LisaA.Kurtz.--1stAmericanpbk.ed.
p.cm.
Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.
ISBN-13:978-1-84310-826-9(pbk.)
ISBN-10:1-84310-826-7(pbk.)
1. Attention-deficithyperactivitydisorder.2. Autism.3. Autisminchildren. I.Title.
RJ506.H9K872006
616.85'89--dc22
2005037054
BritishLibraryCataloguinginPublicationData
ACIPcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary
ISBN-13:9781843108269
ISBN-10:1843108267
ISBNpdf eBook:1846425050
PrintedandboundinGreatBritainby
AthenaeumPress,Gateshead,TyneandWear
This book is dedicated to the community of learners at
Jameson School in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. The energy
and enthusiasm of students, staff, and parents are an
inspiration! As we continue to work and learn together, may
we all come to see more clearly how to promote the best
possible outcomes in our special students!

CONTENTS
Introduction 11
Importance of vision to learning and development
and the purpose of the book 11
1. Anatomy and Structure of the Visual System 15
The eye and extraocular muscles 15
The optic pathways 18
2. The Early Development of Visual Skills 21
Visual skills in the first year of life 21
Toddlers and preschoolers 23
3. Do You See What I See? Problems with Visual Skills 25
Structural vision problems 25
Functional vision impairments 28
Visual perception problems 33
4. Finding Professional Help for Problems with Vision 37
Warning signs of functional vision and perceptual disorders 38
Selecting a vision specialist 40
Assessment of cognitive visual perceptual disorders 48
5. Activities for Improving Visual Skills 61
Activities to improve functional vision 62
Activities to improve visual perception 70
6. Helping Children to Compensate for Problems
with Vision 75
Strategies for maintaining visual hygiene 75
Possible compensatory strategies for vision difficulties 76
7. Resources 79
Recommended reading 79
Helpful agencies, organizations, and websites 81
Publishers of tests for visual perception 85
Suppliers of therapy and educational materials 86
APPENDIX:EQUIPMENTFABRICATION 89
Balanceboard 89
One-leggedbalancestool 90
Fingerchart 92
GLOSSARY 95
INDEX 105
List of figures and tables
Figures
1.1 Structureof theeye 16
1.2 Processof accommodation 18
1.3 Visualpathways 19
3.1 Refractiveerrors 29
3.2 Theeyemuscles 31
5.1 Clotheshangerpaddle 65
5.2 Bottlescoop 65
5.3 Stickandballgame 65
5.4 Toothpicktunnel 67
5.5 Marblecanandbalancestool 69
5.6 Holeinonegame 69
5.7 Zoomball 69
A.1 Balanceboard 89
A.2 One-leggedbalancestool 90
A.3 Fingerchart 91
Tables
4.1 Functionalvisionscreeningtests 43
4.2 Professionalsinvolvedinassessmentof
visualperceptionproblems 50
4.3 Testscommonlyusedtoevaluatevisualperception
inchildren 52
4.4 Understandingtestscores 56