CVI Functional Vision & Eligibility Assessment

Noah was seen at the Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta last Thursday for a functional vision and eligibility assessment.  I first discovered the services they offer from another mom that adopted twin boys with albinism from China.  Her sons participated in the BEGIN program and completed their preschool classes last year.  I visited the CVI before we adopted Noah to look into their services.

This time Noah was observed by their Early Interventionist, Cindi Nash.  She was excited to meet him and get a baseline for his acuity.  From the start of meeting I could understand how Noah's low vision will affect him later in life (in a classroom setting) but is currently weak and how we can help him improve -his refined reach is slightly inaccurate and he had trouble hitting the elevator button.  Cindi wrote up a full report on his vision, tactile skills, auditory skills, and overall development.

To say she was impressed by Noah's language and comprehension would be an understatement.  He is so smart!  But he couldn't "trick" her the way he does me.  He had trouble finding the hole in the shoelace activity and needed to bring most objects 2-3" from his eyes.  He could not replace the marker caps without help (can most 3 year old boys do this?).  She also observed how he tilts his head slightly to the left to visually explore an object.  His nystagmus was very slight throughout the assessment.

Cindi recommended that Noah be reevaluated by Dr. Bordenca and we push for glasses.  She suggested more hats to shield his face and to continue the use of sunglasses.  She also suggested we sign him up for "camp" classes (a week in June with other children who have low vision) and then in the Fall participate in the BEGIN 3 year old weekly preschool class.  This is something we are encouraged by and hope for the CVI's supplemental classes to allow Noah to stay "mainstream".  Since I teach part-preschool at a local church we had already planned for him to attend this Fall.  I'm learning there is such a fine line between utilizing the services for a child with a SN (special need) and still allowing them to be like their peers without impairment.  The services provided by the CVI are great and we hope to continue to help Noah with opportunities like these.