Neurological Vision Impairment: Assessment and training package

Presented at the 12th International Mobiity Conference – Hong Kong – November 2006

ABSTRACT: The NVT Scanning Device (NVTSD) is a unique computerized tool used for the assessment and training of people with a Neurological Vision Impairment. The NVTSD is portable and is provided with a dedicated laptop to run the unique client management, assessment, training and research software. The training package consists of a competency based assessment and training manual, workbooks and exercises in proven techniques for O & M Instructors, Rehabilitation Instructors, Occupational Therapists and Optometric technicians, involving the NVT Scanning Device and standard mobility methodology.
The training programme objectives are to train a person with Neurological Vision Impairment to maximize the use of their remaining vision and to become as independent as possible. The training programme provides:
• An understanding of the effects of an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) on the neurological vision system.
• An understanding of additional cognitive deficits associated with ABI and their implications for safe, independent mobility.
• Training in the use of the software package for collecting and management of client data, providing standardised assessments and conducting training sequences.
• Training in the use of the NVTSD as an assessment tool for determining the presence of homonymous hemianopia and/or visuo-spatial neglect.
• A programme of compensatory scanning exercises that will enhance the client’s functional use of residual vision.
• Skills that will enable the O & M Instructor/Vision Rehabilitation professional to transfer scanning strategies to the client’s home and community setting.
• Skills that will enable the O & M Instructor to accurately determine the need for a mobility aid and /or restrictions to travel limits.

- Neurological Vision Impairment: Assessment and training package

Neurological Vision Impairment: Online training for rehabilitation staff

Presented at the 12th International Mobiity Conference – Hong Kong – November 2006

ABSTRACT: Between 30 – 35 % of the population diagnosed with acquired brain injury suffer from associated neurological vision impairment. Each year 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting in more than 4,000 individuals on a daily basis. Recent reports also indicate 60 – 67% of injured U.S. soldiers sent from Iraq to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.
Over 27,000 Australians are hospitalized with traumatic brain injury and over 52,000 hospital cases with a diagnosis of stroke every year. An additional 15,163 were hospitalized with other non-traumatic acquired brain injury.
Every year over 100,000 people in England and Wales have first strokes. Stroke is the largest single cause of severe disability with many more suffering from acquired brain injury. As a result of the increasing incidence of acquired brain injury and the subsequent incidence of neurological
vision impairment, Neuro Vision Technology (NVT) has developed specialised on-line training programmes for Orientation & Mobility Instructors and vision rehabilitation staff.

This paper will discuss the content of the on-line training programmes and:
• the incidence of neurological vision impairment in three continents
• the implications of neurological vision impairment on the outcome of rehabilitation programmes and
hospital stay times
• the lack of vision screening in acquired brain injury leading to undiagnosed and untreated symptoms
• the need for further research.
- Neurological Vision Impairment: Online training for rehabilitation staff

Have software will travel! - An adaptable client management system

- Have software wll travel! - An adaptable client management system

Assessment of clients with visual spatial disorders: A pilot study

Visual Impairment research - 2000 Vol 2 No 3 pp 129-142

In 1983, Verlander and Stott (Aust Rehabil rev 1987:7:20-25) identifed the need for an inter-disiplinary team team approach in assessing and treating clietns ith a visual spatial disorder.

The present study completes the devleopment of two new assessment tools which will be used as key outcome measures in a major study of the effectiveness pf a program of static scanning and mobility training. results of the Mobility Assessment course (MAC) indicated that obstacle avoidance was a poor measure for visual neglect and highlighted the need for a structured mobility assessment.

The Visual Scanning Analyser (VSA) results conveyed the importance of defining and demonstrating the perimeter of the deficit field so that the prompt 'look to the left' had some meaning to the client.

A subject's inability to respond effectvely to multiple stimuli gave the clerest indication of visual neglect on the VSA.

- Assessment of clients with visual spatial disorders: A pilot study