Vision Therapy and Educational Visual Impairment Services: What’s the Difference?

There is a new, free tool available for download to help answer this important question. From the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), Vision Therapy and Educational Visual Impairment Services: What’s the Difference? is a well-researched and documented publication that describes how vision therapy is different from educational visual impairment services. It addresses important considerations for families and teachers trying to determine whether a student has a visual impairment requiring educational intervention by VI professionals or a visual condition best addressed by medical personnel. It provides a very clear differentiation of the two roles, even acknowledging that some of the accommodations may overlap. It is important to note that this document is based on Pennsylvania legal structures, which may vary from Texas procedures. 

Readers are encouraged to also read previous TX SenseAbilities articles on this important topic. Articles by Donna Clemens and Dr.Kitra Gray offer additional information and resources comparing vision therapy and visual impairment services for educational purposes.