Professional Roles (some from http://www.needbp.org/pubs/ib_vision.pdf)

Music Therapists use music to enhance goal areas such as communication, fine and gross motor, comprehension and self-help skills. Through musical activities, each individual is encouraged to explore and participate. Playing instruments and singing are a part of each session, though the experience is quite unlike musical instruction. While participating within the musical structure, skill building and relationship development take place. This enables the individual to feel comfortable taking risks, creating a strong path for future learning.

Occupational Therapists evaluate and treat fine motor skill development, sensory motor integration and self-care skills. Treatment is provided through play and functional based activities. They work closely with families to increase awareness of how the child's skills can be improved through daily life activities.

Orientation and Mobility Specialists assess the effects of visual impairments on a child's motor and movement skills. They help children develop the skills they need to move independently and safely within their daily environment.

Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) provide instruction in the use of vision within such daily routines as play, feeding, communication, motor and learning tasks. They develop activities and adaptations to help your child use his/her vision as efficiently as possible. They can teach compensatory skills (such as the use of touch or hearing) and help you understand how the vision loss may affect your child's development. They may consult with other service providers such as doctors or therapists.

Deafblind Specialists are trained in the field of deafblindness and multiple disabilities with emphasis on communication development and the impact of vision and hearing loss on learning and program development.

Eye Specialists:

Ocularist designs and fits artificial eyes (prostheses) and scleral shells. Board certification through the National Examining Board of Ocularists is required. The exam is taken every 6 years for recertification.

Ophthalmologists (M.D.) provide medical assessment, monitor eye health, measure visual acuity and prescribe corrective lenses as appropriate. They are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and/or perform surgical procedures. Training includes but is not limited to the following: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 1 year of internship and 3 years of residency. An additional year of study is necessary to specialize in pediatric ophthalmology.

Optician grinds and fits lenses prescribed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. A total of years of training is needed including a year of optical courses and 2 years of an apprenticeship under a certified optician.

Optometrist (O.D.) measure visual acuity and provide general eye exams for vision skills, low vision assessment and prescriptions for low vision aids (magnifiers). Training consists of 4 years of college and 3 to 4 years in optometry school.

 

Some descriptions courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, "Do you think your child has a vision loss." (2002)