Why is My Child Struggling in School? Many Children Face Challenges in Silence! Click to listen to what the Child has to say.

Listen to Your Child Carefully!  Children never lie.  Vision symptoms are very hard to describe. and children don’t know what they are supposed to see. so they may think every one see the same and they never describe what they see and even sometimes they complaint of wording moving and parents may told them that it is silly and words never move! So the child may continue struggling. 

When a child is diagnosed with ADHD or ADD or other psychiatric disorders based on their symptoms, they are often prescribed medication, which can improve their behavior or symptoms. However, most psychiatric medications can impact the neurology of vision, with blurry vision being a common side effect. These children may struggle more to focus on objects up close, such as when reading. Therefore, wearing a pair of proper stress relief lenses is essential for children on medication. 

Click here for OSEP National TA Call on November 17, 2022.

On November 17, 2022, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) held a national technical assistance (TA) call to provide guidance on visual impairment eligibility under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including resources for evaluating and determining eligibility. 

The criteria to identify children with “visual impairments or blindness,” as that term is defined under Part B of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) .

Click Here for the letter to Kotler

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS)  clarifies that states must not narrow the IDEA definitions.

“Definitions and criteria for visual impairment, including blindness, must include any impairment in vision, regardless of significance or severity, that even with correction, impacts a child’s educational performance. Functional assessments should be conducted to determine how a child’s vision impairment impacts their educational performance” (OSERS, 2022, slide 4).

Check out the following episodes about Special Education and Vision with Dr. Douglas Stephey,

Special Education and Vision Part I 

Special Education- Advocacy for IEP or 504 Plan

Our office is proud to partner with Michelle Kotler to help parents with advocating for their children.

Reach out Michelle Kotler at info@parentplaybook.org

visit https://www.parentsplaybook.org/optin

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only. The Academy of Vision and Learning does not  interpret laws or regulations. For  further assistance, please consult an advocate who is knowledgeable about the IDEA definition of vision impairment.