The Gift of Seeing:

What you'll learn

1. Understand neurological, visual pathways and how neurological trauma can cause brain-based vision impairments. 
2. Appreciate the complexity of the visual system and the interrelationships between visual acuity, visual skills, and visual cognition/visual perceptual skills.
3. Learn to recognize visual behaviors that suggest brain-based vision impairment.
4. Become familiar with “screeners” for brain-based vision impairments, and with functional vision assessments. 
5. Understand the relationship between body positioning and functional vision.
6. Examine various student tasks and various vision intervention tools/strategies to facilitate successful performance of the tasks.
7. Become familiar with multiple adaptations of books, the environment, assistive technology tools, sensory equipment for the classroom and home use to improve facilitation of vision
8. Understand orientation and mobility training and the role it plays for children with vision impairments.
9. Recognize how to use routine-based interventions for children with visual impairments.
10. Understand methods to locate resources or create local community services for children with vision impairments.
    

Primary Authors

Lynda Crouch, MS CLVT/ATP/MOT Perkins-Roman CVI Specialist

Lynda Crouch is a certified, low vision therapist and assistive technology professional. Along with working at Little Light House, Linda contracts with school districts, therapy clinics, and the Oklahoma State Department of Rehabilitation Services to serve individuals of all ages with vision impairments. She has also worked for 3 years at a low vision clinic with a low vision optometrist. Lynda holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University and is licensed in the State of Oklahoma. She has received Perkins-Roman cortical vision impairment endorsement. Additionally, she holds a low vision therapist certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) and certification as an Assistive Technology Professional from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). Additionally she served as a contributor for standardizing the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills 4th Edition. For over 30 years, Lynda has served individuals of all ages with vision impairments throughout the community, in therapy and low vision clinics, and in school settings. It is her passion to help teachers, therapists, and parents understand vision impairments and interventions that can help individuals reach their full potential. 

Julia Wilson, PT Physical Therapist

Julia B. Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma in 1973 and is licensed to practice physical therapy in the State of Oklahoma, USA. Her pediatric focus is in Certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment of Children with Neurological Disorders and NDT Advanced Baby Treatment. She also pursued advanced training in lower extremity orthotics and gait disorders. She is a lifetime member of American Physical Therapy Association and Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association, and has held multiple leadership positions and appointments. Julia spent over 35 years in pediatric private practice as an owner/therapist prior to joining Little Light House’s therapy team in 2007. Over the years, she has served in the Children’s Services area as a Physical Therapist, Director of Therapy Services, and Senior Director of Children and Family Services prior to stepping into her current role as the Academy Coordinator and Trainer. She was awarded the Pediatric Provider of the Year in 2018 by the Oklahoma Association of Neonatal and Pediatric Therapists (OANAPT). Along with these roles, Julia has participated in multiple overseas training trips to the Sunbeam Center in Johvi, Estonia through the LLH National & Global Impact program, to train and consult with other professionals around the world. 

Hannah Jimenez, MS

Hannah Jimenez graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Music. She holds a Master’s degree in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education. She also holds credentials as a Master IEP Coach and was voted Teacher of the Year at Cedar Ridge Elementary in 2020. Prior to joining Little Light House, Hannah taught Special Education in the public school and community college settings and assisted with the “His Heart” special needs ministry at CrossPoint Church in Sand Springs, OK. Hannah currently serves as the Special Education Teacher & Trainer on the National and Global Impact team at Little Light House. She provides training to churches on how to offer special needs services, writing courses for the Online Academy, and teaching Early Intervention evening classes at First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa. Hannah’s greatest passion is helping individuals with disabilities access their community, school, and church. 

Ann Chinworth, BA in English, Editor

Ann Chinworth graduated with Bachelor degrees in English Education and Spanish from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK in 2017. Since then she has worked in a variety of settings, teaching Language Arts in the public schools, working locally and overseas with youth, and expanding her online content creation skills. Ann joined Little Light House’s Department of Development in 2018 as the Grant Writer and later assisted with fundraising on the events team. Since then, she has transitioned to the National and Global Impact department, serving as the Outreach Coordinator. She works with the team to compile information from Little Light House’s 50 years of experience into helpful resources and trainings for professional contacts, parents and educators worldwide through the online Training Academy and Church Collective program. Ann has a passion for people and helping connect them with the resources they need to feel confident, happy, and ready for the future.