LEARNING ACTIVITY 2 (Modified)
Unique Learning Needs of
Students with Visual Impairments
Some of the questions have other choices that I have edited out in past years…I added them back in here (in red) simply to promote discussion. After each group of questions there is a slightly modified student/client description. Review each set of questions based on the new information- note any answer changes.
STUDENT A: Jody
Jody is a junior in high school. His vision has been degenerating (due to retinitis pigmentosa) for the last 2-3 years. The last 6 months, it has become almost impossible for him to read print or perform the activities of daily living based on visual input alone.
1. Which of the following unique learning needs would NOT apply to Jody?
a. laterality
b. listening skills
c. reading braille
d. understanding the importance of maximum independence.
2. Which of the following unique learning needs is MOST important for Jody?
a. being aware of current recreational trends
b. non-verbal, body language techniques
c. having feelings of self-worth
d. tracking auditory sources.
3. Which of the following academic skills is LEAST important for Jody at this time?
a. time management
b. learning to use auditory materials efficiently
c. keyboarding
d. use of an abacus.
4. In terms of Jody’s unique learning needs in the area of social skills, which of the following would be MOST important for him to learn?
a. use of appropriate assertiveness
b. appropriate participation in group activities or projects
c. social conventions (ex. Shaking hands)
d. acceptable behavior in a variety of social situations.
e. how to get a date as a student with visual impairments
5. In terms of sensory motor skills, which of the following is likely to be Jody’s most pressing need?
a. controlling head, limbs, and body for purposes of environmental exploration.
b. developing adequate muscle strength, relaxation, and flexibility
c. discriminating between textures
d. developing gross motor skills
Now….think about it again.
Instead of Jodi let’s think about Joe….
Joe is a 35 year old man. His vision has been degenerating Age Related Macular Degeneration for the last 2-3 years. The last 6 months, it has become almost impossible for him to read print or perform the activities of daily living based on visual input alone.
STUDENT B: Sara
Sara is a four year old student who has a moderate visual impairment. Her visual acuity is approximately 20/400, which means that things she sees at a distance are often very blurry. She is active, healthy, and curious. She has, however, never been served in a vision program.
6. Which of the following areas of unique learning needs is probably MOST important to Sara?
a. reading and writing in braille
b. learning appropriate dress for given situations
c. developing hobbies
d. concept development
7. Given the information that we have been given on Sara, which of the following would NOT be an area of immediate need?
a. Identifying one’s own and other people’s feelings
b. expressing likes and dislikes appropriately
c. tracking auditory sources
d. controlling head, limbs, and body for purposes of environmental exploration.
e. laterality and basic book skills/concepts
8. As Sara’s VI teacher, which of the following would you be interested in assessing first?
a. ability to use optical reading devices
b. time concepts
c. body image
d. classifying
9. In terms of independent living skills, which of the following is LEAST likely to be appropriate for Sara?
a. food preparation
b. dressing
c. eating
d. personal hygiene skills
10. Which of the following would probably NOT be an area of unique need that Sara’s VI teacher would want to assess as a top priority.
a. identifying sexual roles in our society.
b. identifying one’s own gender role
c. understanding the difference between work and play
d. developing fine motor skills
Now think about Suzy
Suzy is a 20 year old woman who has a moderate visual impairment. Her visual acuity is approximately 20/400, which means that things she sees at a distance are often very blurry. She is active, healthy, and outgoing. She has, however, never been served in a vision program and will be going away to college. (you may change VI teacher reference to Rehab teacher or O&M)
STUDENT C: Stephen
Stephen is an 11 year old upper elementary student who has been totally blind due to retinoblastoma since he was 3 months old. Throughout his life he has had consistent, competent, and caring intervention through the local school district’s vision program. He is preparing to move into a middle school situation.
11. Which of the following areas of unique learning need would Stephen be likely to be addressed as the TOP priority?
a. signature writing
b. appropriate participation in group activities
c. being familiar with a wide variety of recreational activities
d. filling out job applications
e. being familiar with appropriate pre-teen interactions with members of the opposite sex.
12. In terms of independent living skills, which of the following is MOST likely to be a unique need for Stephen at this point in his life?
a. organizational skills
b. dressing
c. telephone usage
d. personal hygiene skills
13. Which of the following unique needs is LEAST likely to be an issue for Stephen at this point in his life?
a. developing hobbies
b. being able to explain the birth process and complications which may occur.
c. relating present experiences to future jobs
d. being able to obtain necessary materials in the appropriate literacy medium.
e. basic “sex education”
14. In terms of recreation, which is of the following is LEAST likely to be a unique learning need for Stephen?
a. being familiar with a wide variety of recreational activities
b. being able to participate in a wide range of recreational activities
c. being aware of current recreational trends
d. playing indoor and outdoor games
15. Given his age and eminent transition, which of the following skills is most likely to be the most critical unique need for Stephen?
a. Signature writing
b. Classifying
c. Use of a sighted reader
d. Abacus
16. Given his age and eminent transition, which of the following skills are likely to be important instructional areas?
I. dressing and preparing simple meals (e. g. sandwich, microwave meal)
II. use of more sophisticated technology for the visually impaired (e. g. use of scanning/auditory output equipment, screenreader)
III. more advanced vocational awareness (e. g. how to locate a job)
IV. developing greater self advocacy skills
a. I and II
b. III and IV
c. I, II, and III
d. II, III, and IV
Now….think about it again.
Instead of Stephen let’s think about Sally….
Sally is a 30 year old woman who has lost his vision due to an accident when he was 20 years old. Throughout her adulthood she has had consistent, competent, and caring intervention by rehabilitation specialists and job coaches. She is preparing to move into an apartment with her fiancé.
As you have seen, priorities and needs will change as your students get older.
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