ILOTA In-Person Event: "Getting Hands-On with Vision: Learning the Key Components of Vision Assessment and Intervention"

(Light breakfast and snacks provided - lunch on your own.)

(Not a member? Join here!)

This course has been approved for 6.5 contact hours of CE credit.

Register here!

Worldwide, an estimated one billion individuals experience neurological or non-neurological diagnoses or conditions that may exacerbate visual disturbances or lead to changes in the visual system, including the ability to process visual information, if left unmanaged. Across diagnostic populations and age-groups, vision loss remains under-recognized, under-assessed, and under-treated. To meet the growing needs of individuals receiving rehabilitation across the lifespan and provide the best support to individuals with changes to their visual system, clinicians working in rehabilitation must be ready to screen for visual impairments and, when necessary, complete a more comprehensive visual assessment. Once the assessment process has been completed, occupational therapy practitioners are well positioned to support patients in their rehabilitation journey through interventions that approach visual changes through both adaptation and remediation.

This course will review a conceptual model for the visual system as well as screening and assessment tools that are available for OTPs to use within their practice. The course will use opportunities for live demonstrations and hands-on practice with assessment administration to review tips and tricks for efficient use of assessments within clinical settings. Additionally, case examples and small-group discussions will guide learners in the design of treatment plans based on the assessment findings. The course will embed discussions about opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and referrals with other providers to ensure effective care is provided.

1. Describe the key components of the visual system and how these interact with existing conceptual models for vision rehabilitation
2. Effectively administer a standard vision assessment process
3. Interpret key aspects of the vision assessment process to design an effective treatment plan
4. Describe situations in which patients may need to be referred to other providers for ongoing assessment + management of visual changes.

Shreena Shah, OTD, OTR/L

Primary Speaker: Kelsey Watters, CScD, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS

Kelsey Watters is the Clinical Practice Leader for Occupational Therapy at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (SRAlab) and senior I occupational therapist in the Think + Speak Lab at SRAlab. She graduated with her master's in occupational therapy from the University of Washington in 2012, obtained her board certification in physical rehabilitation (BCPR) from AOTA in 2020 and her doctorate of clinical science (CScD) in occupational therapy at the University of Pittsburgh in 2022. Clinically, she specializes in working with individuals recovering from TBI and other conditions that lead to challenges in functional cognition, vision and perception. At SRAlab, she leads initiatives that facilitate the implementation of best practice to optimize patient outcomes and her research interests include disorders of consciousness, functional cognition, vision assessment/intervention and spatial neglect.

Assistant Speaker: Haleigh Nierman, MS, OTR/L

Haleigh Nierman MS, OTR/L is a Senior Occupational Therapist at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where she specializes in pediatric rehabilitation. She earned her degree from Rush University and has cultivated a strong clinical focus in treating patients with low vision as well as neurological vision challenges, particularly within the pediatric population. Her interest in vision is deeply rooted in her family background, having grown up around the field of optometry. This early exposure has informed her professional path and inspired her involvement in the inpatient pediatric vision lab as well as outpatient consultation clinic , where she integrates her expertise to support children with vision challenges. Haleigh is committed to advancing her clinical knowledge and therapeutic approach, particularly in the evolving field of vision within occupational therapy. In her spare time, Haleigh enjoys spending time with her husband and her dog Lola and getting by the lake as much as possible.

Assistant Speaker: Shreena Shah, OTD, OTR/L

Shreena Shah is an occupational therapist (OT) at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (SRAlab) who works in the Think + Speak lab as a Vision Specialist. She graduated with her doctorate in occupational therapy from Western Michigan University in 2024. She has clinical expertise in evaluating and treating persons with visual impairments following neurologic events and ocular diseases. As a vision OT, she administers a comprehensive visual assessment, which is comprised of assessing visual acuity, ocular motility, visual fields and spatial neglect/visual inattention, to patients routinely. Shreena has a passion for utilizing evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes.

(Not a member? Join here!)

This course has been approved for 6.5 contact hours of CE credit.

Register here!