The occupational therapy vision screen-OTVS: a vision screen tool for school-based and pediatric occupational therapists
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Visual delays impact children across the nation and are often left undiagnosed and untreated. These visual delays impact a student's academic performance, achievement, and occupational performance. Many children in the United States are not receiving adequate visual care. Occupational therapists evaluate and screen children with visual delays with a variety of standardized tests and tools. Currently, there is no vision assessment, specific for occupational therapists to use with elementary age children. Occupational therapists are left to create their own screening procedures to fill this gap. The Occupational Therapy Vision Screen-OTVS is a vision screen tool designed for school-based and pediatric occupational therapists. The mission of The OTVS is to provide occupational therapists with a vision screening tool and resources that allows for comprehensive testing during occupational therapy evaluations, screens, and progress monitoring. To allow students to reach their full potential occupational therapists must understand the importance of vision and vision screens, have access to a screening tool that is affordable and easy-to-use, and have an avenue for follow-up care. The OTVS will allow for early detection of visual issues, will improve the frequency and quality of screens, provide an evidence-based approach, provide clear guidelines for occupational therapists, allow for more visual skills to be tested, improve occupational therapy evaluations, and allow therapists to impact functional vision early, when it is most crucial and beneficial for young children. Occupational therapists will be able to impact student’s functional vision skills, promote full student participation in academics, occupational performance, and improve a child’s independence, sense of self, and quality of life, so children may thrive within the classroom and beyond.
Description
2026