Behavioral Observations Part 1
1. VISION SCREENING
Behavioral Observations
Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
Created by Carmen Valdes & Lisa Shearman
2. DBVI EDUCATION COORDINATORS Contact List
Bristol Regional Office: Richard Fanis
Richard.Fanis@dbvi.virginia.gov
(540)642-7300
Fairfax Regional Office: Vacant
Contact: Timothy.Brown@dbvi.virginia.gov
(703)359-1100
Norfolk Regional Office: Donna Cox
Donna.Cox@dbvi.virginia.gov
(757)858-6724
Richmond Regional Office: Sue Cobb
Susan.Cobb@dbvi.virginia.gov\
(804)371-3353
Roanoke Regional Office: John McHugh
John.McHugh@dbvi.virginia.gov
(540)857-7122
Staunton Regional Office: Lisa Shearman
Lisa.Shearman@dbvi.virginia.gov
(540)332-7716
Toll Free Number: (800)622-2155
3. Overview
Welcome from the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired. This training is structured to give information on vision screening for infants and toddlers from 0 to 3 years of age. This is a 4 part training which will cover:
Behavioral Observations
Review of Observations of the Eye
Eye and Vision Screening Procedures
Resources
4. Behavioral Observations
Learning Objectives for Part 1:
1. Developmentally appropriate expectations from 0 to 3 months.
2. Developmentally appropriate expectations at 6 months.
5. Vision Development to 3 Months
Babies usually see movement before anything else, as their vision is still evolving. Full-term babies should be able to see their mother's facial expression within a week of birth.
Color vision is not yet fully developed at this time. Depth perception will also mature during the first year of life, as long as both of the child's eyes are working as a team.
Eye muscle coordination in a newborn, as well as a small child, is also very immature. Babies often exhibit eyes turned in, turned out or not working as a team, this should resolve itself by the age of 3 or 4 months.
6. Examples of Development
Birth to 6 weeks of age:
Stares at surroundings when awake
Momentarily holds gaze on bright light or bright object
Blinks at camera flash
Eyes and head move together
One eye may seem turned in at times
http://www.children-special-needs.org/parenting/preschool/visual_child_development.html
7. Examples of Development
8 weeks to 24 weeks:
Eyes begin to move more widely with less head movement
Eyes begin to follow moving objects or people (8-12 weeks)
Watches parent's face when being talked to (10-12 weeks)
Begins to watch own hands (12-16 weeks)
Eyes move in active inspection of surroundings (18-20 weeks)
While sitting, looks at hands, food, bottle (18-24 weeks)
Now looking for, and watching more distant objects (20-28 weeks)
http://www.children-special-needs.org/parenting/preschool/visual_child_development.html
8. 3 Months
Looks at someone's face and tracks with head and eyes
9. 3 Months
Pupil constricts at bright lights.
10. 3 Months
At 3 months the infant will observe different types of movement and light changes.
Observes movement in the room.
11. 3 Months
At 3 months the infant will observe different types of movement and light changes.
Watches own hands and feet.
12. 3 Months
At 3 months the infant will observe light changes.
Stares at light source
13. Vision Development at 6 Months
Between ages four and six months, a child should start to reach or bat at the mobile or toys you hold in front of him. Swatting a toy will happen by chance at first, then become deliberate as a child's vision, depth perception and understanding grows.
14. Examples of Development
30 weeks to 48 weeks of age:
May turn eyes inward while inspecting hands or toy (28-32 weeks)
Eyes more mobile and move with little head movement (30-36 weeks)
Watches activities around him for longer periods of time (30-36 weeks)
http://www.children-special-needs.org/parenting/preschool/visual_child_development.html
15. 6 Months
The developmental expectations at 6 months are:
Displays smooth following eye movements in all directions
16. 6 Months
Reaches for toys
Tracks movement
Shifts gaze between objects
17. Thank You!
This completes the training for Visual Screening. Please continue for Behavioral Observation Part 2.
