Full Course Description

Mastering Eye Movement Disorders in Pediatrics: Practical Visual Rehab Solutions for ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism and More!

Are you working with children whose coordination, reading, or handwriting problems don’t respond to typical interventions? Struggling with cases where poor posture, clumsy motor skills, or letter reversals leave you and your patients frustrated? Often, these are not purely behavioral or learning issues—they’re rooted in hidden eye movement and near vision dysfunctions that standard treatments overlook.

In this powerful program, you’ll learn the specialized vision assessment techniques that go beyond the basics, helping you uncover the root cause of these challenges. Through hands-on demonstrations and case studies, you’ll gain tools that seamlessly integrate vision, balance, and proprioception, providing targeted interventions with real, lasting results.

With DIY and high-tech solutions like the Brock String, Hart Chart, and prism techniques, you'll discover how to improve critical functional skills, such as reading fluency, posture, balance, and hand-eye coordination. Walk away equipped to tackle even the most complex cases, increase patient compliance and progress, and confidently offer specialized care that sets you apart.

This training will give you the skills to confidently identify and treat visual issues that others miss—boosting outcomes, reducing frustration, and empowering you to make a lasting impact on your patients’ lives. Join us and master these essential techniques to transform your practice and your patients’ success.

Program Information

Objectives

Demonstrate the three-component model of vision by assessing its impact on functional skills such as reading, balance, and hand-eye coordination. (Hopkins, 2019)
Perform visual system assessments, evaluating eye movement and near vision skills that influence patient outcomes in motor tasks. (Scheiman, 2011)
Develop and implement targeted activities that improve ocular motor and near vision skills, enhancing patient abilities in areas like handwriting, sports, and daily coordination tasks. (CITT-ART, 2021)
Differentiate between reading challenges due to dyslexia and those stemming from ocular motor/near vision deficits to guide tailored interventions that support academic and functional performance. (Shaywitz, 2012)
Identify common visual pathologies (e.g., convergence insufficiency, strabismus) and describe their functional impact on pediatric patients' daily activities and movement patterns. (Fraser, 2022)
Apply vision training tools and techniques (e.g., Brock String, Hart Chart) to reduce letter reversals and enhance visual processing, supporting improved literacy and functional independence. (Levy, 2020)
Utilize coding and documentation strategies for vision-related dysfunctions to support reimbursement and highlight functional gains in patient progress notes. (Chauhan, 2023)

Outline

See the Big Picture: Foundations of the Visual System

Key structures and pathways that drive vision
How birth conditions impact visual function
Magnocellular vs. Parvocellular: Pathways that affect motor skills
The Pediatric Eye Exam
- Ophthalmology or Optometry or Vision Therapy

Beyond Behavior: Linking Vision to Learning and Motor Skills

Recognize visual signs behind ADHD, autism, and dyslexia
Real cases: Visual issues misdiagnosed as behavioral problems
Eye movements and their surprising link to focus and attention

Eyes on the Prize: Essential Eye Movement Assessments

Tracking, saccades, convergence: Simple tests, big insights
Spot hidden focus issues with near vision system checks

Hands-On Lab: Practical Techniques for Vision Training

DIY and high-tech tools for immediate impact
Brock String and Hart Chart exercises for visual strength
Prism lenses: Real-life applications to improve function

Balancing Act: Vision’s Role in Posture, Balance, and Movement

Use Binasal Occlusion to enhance postural control
Discover “glasses that fix toe-walking”
Mid-Line Shift Syndrome: Assess, address, and improve

From Theory to Practice: Real-World Case Studies

TBI and Concussion: Practical adjustments for visual dysfunction
ADHD, Autism, and Vision: Uncover root causes of behaviors
Support sensory integration with vision-based strategies

Cracking the Code: Integrating Visual Skills into Functional Goals

Set measurable goals for eye movement improvements
Master ICD-10 coding for vision interventions
Blend vision therapy into daily routines for lasting results

Target Audience

Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Early Intervention Staff
Educators

Copyright : 05/17/2025

Pediatric Vision Assessment: Detecting Visual Impediments to Learning and Development

There is nothing more frustrating than suspecting something might be wrong, but not being able to put your finger on it.

Today’s children are falling through the cracks of the medical system with little to no support or appropriate follow up for vision related concerns. What you don’t know about vision is costing you, costing your clients.
This program gently introduces you to the critically important world of vision assessment for children. From infants through to the school years, you’ll uncover the core concepts of vision development and testing including:

What’s missing from common vision testing?
Build your vision literacy!
Special age-based considerations for testing
Words jumping around on the page? Is it a reading problem, or an oculomotor problem?

Understanding testing opens the door to understanding the various unaddressed elements of vision that are interfering with your client care. With the broad and deep impacts of vision on daily function – this knowledge will make an immediate difference in your stalled cases.

While primarily focused on pediatric vision and development, it has been designed by Charles Boulet, OD, keeping in mind its relevance for both children and adults. The content covers a wide range of topics related to vision assessment, including comprehensive eye and vision examinations, evaluation of ocular health, measurement of intraocular pressure, and supplemental testing.

In addition, the module also explores testing for learning-related vision problems, which is not limited to children but can also be applicable to adults. It delves into understanding how visual impediments to learning and development can interfere with therapy, testing, and achievement. This knowledge can benefit professionals working with clients of all ages, as it sheds light on the impacts of vision on daily function and provides insights into addressing unaddressed elements of vision that may be affecting client care.

While the module is framed for pediatric vision, it includes valuable information that can be applied to adult populations as well. We believe that this module will provide you with useful knowledge and skills that can be implemented in your practice.

Program Information

Objectives

Assess core factors in human vision development.
Investigate common vision problems and how often they occur.
Determine optimal timetable for comprehensive eye and vision examinations for infants and children (newborn through 18 years of age)
Assess appropriate procedures to effectively examine the eye health, visual functional status, and ocular manifestations of systemic disease in infants and children.
Reduce the risks and adverse effects of eye and vision problems in infants and children through prevention, education, early diagnosis, treatment and management with optometrists and other care providers.
Integrate education for patients, parents/caregivers, and other health care providers about the importance of eye health and good vision, and the role it plays in child development, learning, and rehabilitation.
Determine how Visual Impediments to Learning and Development (VILD) can interfere with therapy, testing, and achievement.
Evaluate some limits to vision testing.

Outline

Pediatric Vision & Development

Epidemiology of Eye and Vision Disorders in Children
Access to Care
Costs of Eye and Vision Disorders in Children
Early Detection and Prevention of Eye and Vision Disorders

Comprehensive Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination

General Considerations for Each Age Group
- Infants and Toddlers
- Preschool Children
- School-age Children
Examination Procedures
Patient History
Testing Specifics for Infants and Toddlers, Preschool and School-Age Children
- Visual Acuity
- Refraction
- Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility
- Color Vision

Ocular and Systemic Health Assessment

Assessment of Pupillary Responses
Visual Field Evaluation
Evaluation of the Ocular Anterior Segment and Adnexa
Evaluation of the Ocular Posterior Segment
Measurement of Intraocular Pressure

Supplemental Testing

Electrodiagnostic Testing
Imaging
Testing for Learning-related Vision Problems

Children with Special Needs

At-risk Children
Developmental Disabilities

Trauma and Ocular Manifestations of Child Abuse/ Neglect

Trauma (Accidental)
Ocular Manifestations of Child Abuse and Neglect (Non-accidental)
Potential Benefits and Harms of Testing

Discussion: Limits to testing and measurements

Variance in measurement – how accurate are your readings?
Repeatability – should values be repeatable?
Validity – what do these tests mean?
Yield – what do these tests reveal?

Target Audience

Occupational Therapists
Physical Therapists
Educators
Pediatric/Educational psychologists
Family Doctors/Pediatricians
Other health professionals working in rehabilitation (geriatrics, TBI)
Other professionals working in child development

Primitive Reflexes Influence on Eye Alignment & Body Function

Nervous system damage and challenges require neuroplasticity tools to place reflexes in the background. And, the solution to increasing progress requires neurological interventions, such as implementing sensory exercises – since all children learn through sensation. This 2-hour lecture gives you a new perspective on how to enter the midbrain and brainstem with sensory information to assist in rewiring around impairments for improved motor and learning outcomes through Neuroplasticity techniques.

This course will show you how to:

✔ Recognize the cause of primitive reflexes and treat them

✔ Find primitive reflexes that influence active movements, successful suck and swallow, rolling, coming to sitting and balance and learn to promote developmental milestones

✔ Locate hidden reflex patterns that will affect higher-level skills later

✔ And more!

Watch Dr. Karen Pryor as she shows you how to identify significant reflexes, and easy to understand integration techniques as well as tips for a smooth conversion to home programs. 

Program Information

Objectives

Appraise what to look for in eye alignment and the relationship to primitive reflex patterns in the face and body.
Investigate central nervous system abnormalities and/or pain that results in decreased function of the cortical lobes and increased use of the lower brain centers.
Differentiate how primitive reflexes are tested active verses passive movement.

Outline

Testing, Identifying, and Integration Demonstration
- Start with the head
Observe and document
- Start with the face
- Eyes, facial tone, tongue
Primitive reflexes of face and mouth
Eye and tongue exercises to disarm primitive reflex power
Pain influence on primitive reflexes
Misalignment of neck and back
- What to do to promote rotational movements
Passive verses active testing for primitive reflexes
Positional testing
PPRI Color Clock
ATNR, TNR, Moro, TLR, Galant

Target Audience

Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Athletic Trainers
Chiropractors