In sighted individuals, vision is the primary sensory system for which we interact with the world. It has implications for activities of daily living as well as mobility and social communications. The visual areas and pathways in the brain extend throughout the cerebral and subcortical areas creating a dynamic array of neural networks involved in visual processing. As a result of these extensive pathways, the visual system is vulnerable to harm following concussion, TBI, Stroke or vestibular diagnoses. Despite the importance vision plays in our lives, vision therapy and rehabilitation is often overlooked within medical and rehabilitation settings. As therapists who are serving persons with neurological injury across the continuum of care we have the opportunity to screen and guide treatment for visual dysfunction following injury or disease.

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This course aims to provide an understanding of how vision and visual processing affects persons with brain injury or disease and how therapists can address these needs within a rehabilitation setting. Participants will receive a foundation of the anatomy and neurology of visual processing. The course will then provide an understanding of visual function skills and their effect on occupation. Participants will also be provided with resources and evidenced based screening measures and guidelines for evaluating visual skills and will have the opportunity for hands on learning, administering these tools. Lastly, participants will receive practical treatment guidelines and activities to incorporate into their practice, including the use of postural support, motor action, and balance, as well as functional oculomotor and binocular skills training. Participants will be provided with extensive resource materials to help build upon their knowledge of vision and translate it into practice. The educational level of this course is intermediate.