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Tutoring Students with Various
Visual Disorders
Techniques for Tutorial Use
A Presentation for Use by The Association of Tutoring Professionals On-line
Workshop 2008
Presenter: Debra A. Boyle, M.Ed.; Redmond, Washington
Q: How common is this type of student?
A: Not very…but when you encounter their special
disability, you will need to know what works.
Q: Are visually disabled students
blind so that they have no sight at all?
A: No…not all students who are “visually
disabled” have lost complete sight.
Q: What causes vision disorders
in students I may be assisting?
A: There are a variety of causes you should be
informed of for best tutorial success.
Common Types of Vision Disorders
►Strabismus (crossed eyes)
● one or both eyes turn in, out, down, up
● inability to develop binocularity (use of both eyes together)
● surgery + vision therapy treatable
● no treatment leads to Amblyopia
►Amblyopia (one eye reduced vision)
● failure to develop binocularity or focus disorder
● surgery, vision therapy, glasses, patching, or Rx drops treatable
● 2-3% incidence visual impairment due to no treatment
Strabismus
Common Types of Vision Disorders (cont.)
►Retinopathy of Prematurity (vision impaired at retina due to premature birth time)
● result of premature birth difficulties
● laser surgery treatment yet unsuccessful for 28%
● retinal detachment if treatment fails
►Pathologic Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)
(go to http://www.answers.com/topic/optokinetic-nystagmus-gif, then find
this photo to watch video movements back-and-forth of Nystagmus eye)
● damage to vestibular system by congenital cause, head trauma, tumor, MS
● not treatable, but medications show promise
►Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) (gradual vision loss from peripheral to center)
● inherited diseases causing retinal degeneration (Usher syndrome,
rod-cone disease, Refsum disease, etc.)
● photoreceptor cell mutates to < or > protein imbalance
● nutritional therapy of Vit. A and DHA treatment helpful (research needed)
Retinitis Pigmentosa
►Dyslexia (neurological disorder whereby reading/writing becomes difficult
due to reversal or “mirror image” views seen)
● genetic, neurological causes
● (please see separate module on “Dyslexia Tutoring Techniques”)
►Visual Conversion Reaction (VCR) (psychological disorder causing various neurological problems with vision)
● mimics dyslexia in that handwriting and reading become difficult and inaccurate
● wide range of symptoms from distorted vision, vertigo disorders, eye discomfort, etc.
Q: So if a visually impaired student has
learned how to cope from birth with limited
vision, why seek help from a tutor?
A: Tutors need to offer their help for visually
impaired students in the same way as for
other students.
Q: Then how does a tutor begin
working with a visually impaired student?
A: Begin by gaining knowledge of what your
student has and doesn’t have, and
proceed from that point.
Q: Is it really necessary to obtain
special equipment when working with
visually impaired students?
A: “Necessary”, no...but helpful if the student
does not have access to tools for easier work.
Q: Why can’t vision impaired students
just learn Braille and use Braille texts/books?
A: Braille is difficult, and not always
made available via texts.
Q: Are there any other techniques a tutor
should know when working with vision impaired.
A: The process of improving techniques is
on-going as with all students.