This workshop will help the therapist determine when they are able to address visual issues within their setting, (including schools, acute care, rehab and LTC facilities) and when they need to refer for further medical attention. It will arm therapists with intervention tools and strategies to optimize function. It will focus on the visual system and how various diagnoses can present with different visual difficulties in both children and adults. We will discuss how to assess for visual processing and visual deficits as well as determining treatment and/or remediation. Case studies will emphasize clinical problem solving and decision making for visual processing, visual perception and visual-motor skills.
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Analyze the visual system and gain the skills needed to assess it, in order to better identify visual issues that students/clients present with.
2. Discuss the visual systems role in sensory processing and how it impacts a student/client functionally across all areas (PT, SLP, Special Education).
3. Identify various visual issues associated with differential diagnosis and provide therapists with strategies to use the next day in their setting.
4. Identify when to treat, remediate or refer for visual issues and how to best share that information with the team.
5. Identify the differences between a visual processing issue and a visual deficits and its functional impact on the client’s daily activities.
Dr. Melissa K. Gerber, OTD, OTR/L is a seasoned and respected clinician with extensive experience in pediatrics. She began her career in Adult/Pediatric inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation and acute care. Currently, she has been working for the Great Neck Public Schools for the past 21 years. She is president of 4MYKIDSOT, a private practice where she provides therapy and evaluations.
Dr. Gerber has presented at Education Resources, Therapies in the Schools on Visual Processing: Treat, Remediate, Refer. She has presented at Therapies in the schools in 2016 as the keynote speaker and presented on Aligning Motor needs with Educational Goals. She is enthusiastic to share her experiences and provide strategies that can be incorporated immediately. She is also affiliated with Puzzle Art Therapy, and enjoys sharing this program.
Financial Disclosures: Melissa Gerber receives a honorarium from Education Resources.
Non-Financial Disclosures: Melissa Gerber has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Ap p r o v e d p ro v i d e r o f c o n ti n u in g education by the American Occupational Therapy Association #3043, for 13.5 contact hours - Intermediate Level Occupational Therapy Process: assessment, intervention. The assignment of AOTA CEU's does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products or clinical procedures by AOTA NBCOT professional development provider-13.5 PDU's. Please contact us with any special needs requests. info@educationresourcesinc.com or 508-359-6533
