460 North Cherry Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
27101
EI Sessions:
Partnering with Families: A Foundation for Success
Early intervention is most successful when practices are family-centered and relationship-based. In this workshop we will discuss why a family-centered approach is even more critical when a child has a visual impairment for development in areas such as communication, social development, and motor development.
The Matrix Planning Approach to Promote Learning in Daily Routines
Young children learn best in self-directed, active learning activities that are based in daily routines. However, providing services in a manner that follows this ideal can be challenging. Learn about a new model called the Matrix Planning Approach which is proving helpful to early intervention vision providers as they collaborate with families to meet their identified needs.
Early Visual Development: Impacts on Our Adaptive Decisions
Vision continues to develop in the first three years of life, even when vision is impaired. As an early intervention provider, we must make adaptive decisions based on the child’s visual needs while taking into consideration the developing visual system. In this workshop we will consider typical visual development, the impact of visual impairment, and potential considerations for adaptive decisions in very young children.
From Me-Centered to Others-Oriented: Theory of Mind Development in Young Children with Visual Impairments
Theory of Mind is the awareness that others have thoughts that are different from our own. Such development fosters our need to communicate. Young children first explore perspective as they participate in joint attention and early gestural communication. Many suspect visual impairment impacts this development and leads to later difficulties with social interactions and communication. We will explore these theories including strategies that promote early development when vision is impaired.
Developing Play Skills in Young Children with Visual Impairments
Play is a key method that young children use to actively explore and learn about their world. However, research shows that children with visual impairment are at risk for delay in the development of sophisticated play skills. Intentional intervention can mediate these challenges. Learn strategies for building the skills and desire to play in the young children with visual impairment on your caseload.
Promoting Peer Engagement in Early Learners with Visual Impairments
Engaging peers requires many advanced skills. Foundations for successful interactions can be built during play when children are in early intervention and then transferred to peer engagement opportunities as children grow. Intentional implementation of activities that build social, communication, and play skills are essential when children have visual impairments.