Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Practical Guide for Occupational Therapists

This Second Edition of Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Practical Guide for Occupational Therapists provides current, evidence-based information on low vision rehabilitation that contains several new and expanded chapters on ADLs, IADLs, and recreation, as well as new online resources and the latest in accessibility devices. Low vision rehabilitation is rapidly growing as a specialty practice for occupational therapists. This growth requires practical, evidence-based information on the evaluation and treatment of the effects of low vision on occupational performance. Responding to this need, Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Practical Guide for Occupational Therapists, Second Edition blends standards of practice that have been developed for over 50 years by low vision therapists and optometrists, with the latest scientific research and the unique perspective of occupational therapists. This text is written to introduce the student and general practitioner to low vision rehabilitation as commonly encountered in medical rehabilitation as well as provides a conceptual approach to evaluation and treatment that will enrich an advanced practice. Authors Stephen Whittaker, a low vision researcher, certified low vision therapist and occupational therapist, Mitchell Scheiman, an optometrist and researcher, and Debra Sokol-McKay, an occupational therapist with specialty certification in low vision as well as certification as a low vision therapist, vision rehabilitation therapist and diabetes educator, have carefully selected evidence-based evaluations and treatments that focus on clinical practicality and meaningful occupational goals in adults.New to the Second Edition: A focus on occupational performance using "whatever works," whether visual, non-visual, or a combination of these different devices and adaptive techniques; The "EPIC" Framework, a general strategy to organize a treatment plan for daily activities using visual and non-visual techniques; Access to a companion website designed as a handy clinical reference, with solutions to clinical problems easily searchable and cross-linked to related content; The "Success-Oriented Approach" to interventions based on the most recent research on cognitive disability and depression associated with low vision; Applications of the latest electronic accessibility devices including smartphones, tablets, and magnifiers that read aloud; Incorporates the AADE (TM) 7 Self-Care Behavior framework of the American Association of Diabetes Educators; Incorporates concepts from the latest edition of the AOTA Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process; A chapter devoted to field loss, spatial neglect and perceptual impairments resulting from acquired-brain-injury.The latest in Medicare documentation standards including outcome to G-code conversions and ICD-10 diagnostic coding for low vision.

About the Author

Stephen G. Whittaker, PhD, FAAO, OTR/L, CLVT, is an occupational therapist, certified low vision therapist and research Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry with a PhD in experimental psychology and post-doctoral training in visual science. For over 35 years, Steve has been teaching, doing research, and providing clinical services in low vision rehabilitation. He lectures internationally. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, Steve was a member of the faculty at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (now Salus University) during which time he was principal investigator on National Eye Institute-, NIDRR-, and NASA-funded research on low vision and visual enhancement devices.

Mitchell Scheiman, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, is a nationally known optometric educator, lecturer, author, and private practitioner. He is the author of Understanding and Managing Visual Deficits: A Guide for Occupational Therapists. Debra Sokol-McKay, OTR/L, SCLV, CDE, CVRT, CLVT, is a licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of Pennsylvania. She has a specialty certification in Low Vision through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and is a Certified Low Vision Therapist, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Certified Low Vision Rehabilitation Therapist.