VINCYP: An Introduction to Childhood Visual Impairment

Contents

This course is primarily designed for those working in health, however is suitable for those working in the field of childhood VI from an education, social work or voluntary sector background.

Previously delivered as a face to face 3 day course this has been converted into a 6 module programme with each module open to attendees for a period of a week with a live online webinar/question and answer session at the end of each module. Each module consists of a series of lectures lasting a total of 1.5 to 2 hrs per module and the course is run over a 6 week period with a new module available each week.

This is a 6 module programme, however applications can be for 4 or 6 modules, dependent on profession and previous training/knowledge. Applicants may apply for all 6, or the most relevant of Modules 1 & 2 or Modules 3 & 4 along with Mandatory modules 5 & 6.

Aim: To enhance the knowledge base of those caring for children with visual impairment.

Cost: £60 for 4 modules or £80 for 6 modules.

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This course is intended for all professionals who have the responsibility of care for any child with a visual impairment. It will provide the baseline knowledge to understand the nature of childrens difficulties. It is not intended to equip attendees with the skills to diagnose visual impairment or manage complex visual difficulties. These topics are covered in the specialist training course in children’s visual impairment provided by VINCYP for which prior attendance at this course is recommended.

Feedback from attendees of the previous course included that it was "very informative and inspirational" and all who attended stated that they would recommend the course to a colleague.

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Modules 1 & 2
Vision, visual development, common eye disorders and their treatment

Dates : 15th February 2021 – 28th February 2021

This will provide non eyecare professionals with knowledge on visual function, visual development, common eye disorders and their treatment together with an understanding of investigations used.

Module 1

• Anatomy and functioning of the eye and visual pathway - Dr A Blaikie
• Visual development and function through childhood - Dr M MacRae
• Testing Visual Acuity and what the results mean - J Wilson

Online Q & A: Friday, 19th February (3.30-4.30pm) - to be confirmed

Module 2

• Testing Visual Fields and Eye Movement and what the results mean - G Coyle
• Glasses – the Basics L Cochrane
• Specialist Eye Investigations - Dr J Gillen
• Eye Clinic Shorthand - Dr K Spowart

Online Q & A: Monday, 1st March (3.30-4.30pm) - to be confirmed

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Modules 3 & 4
Child development, communication, and childhood disabilities

Dates : 1st March 2021 - 14th March 2021

This will provide eyecare professionals, and those not specifically trained in child development, with knowledge and understanding of normal and abnormal child development and childhood disability. It will outline service provision for children with disability and provide information on communicating effectively with children and families.

Module 3

• Normal Child Development - Dr K Spowart
• The Role of Vision in Development - Dr M Campbell
• Overview of Common Developmental difficulties - Dr N Wright

Online Q & A: Monday, 8th March (3.30-4.30pm) - to be confirmed

Module 4

• Causes of Childhood Disability and their Associations - Dr G Robertson
• Systems to Support Children with Disability
  • Health - Dr L Cresswell
  • Education - Prof J Ravenscroft
  • Multiagency working for children with disability - J McGuire
• Communication - Talking to families - Dr J Downie

Online Q & A: Friday, 12th March (3.30-4.30pm) - to be confirmed

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Modules 5 & 6
Visual impairment, causes, diagnosis, and supports

Dates : 15th March 2021 – 28th March 2021

This will build on the information gained in previous modules to develop attendees understanding and knowledge of visual impairment, the causes, and the diagnostic process. It will focus on the importance of services and techniques to support children and how these are accessed.

Module 5

• Childhood VI – Definition, Prevalence and its Causes - Dr A Blaikie
• Overview of Cerebral Visual Impairment - Dr K Spowart
• Cerebral Visual Impairment – Educational presentation - Prof J Ravenscroft

Online Q & A: Friday, 19th March (3.30-4.30pm) - to be confirmed

Module 6

• Diagnostic Process for Visual Impairment - Dr K Spowart
• Risks of Visual Impairment for the Child and Family - Dr M Campbell
• Support for Children with Visual Impairment
  • The Importance of Early Intervention - L McCarry
  • Education - Role of the QTVI - E McCann
  • Habilitation - What is it? - K Westwater
  • Voluntary Organisations and Social Work support - R Scrimshire
• The VINCYP Pathway: Multiagency working for children with visual impairment - Dr M Campbell

Online Q & A, post course assessment and feedback: Monday, 29th March (3.30-4.30pm) - to be confirmed

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Tutors

Dr A Blaikie, Consultant Ophthalmologist
Dr M MacRae, Consultant Ophthalmologist
J Wilson, Orthoptist
G Coyle, Orthoptist
L Cochrane, Optometrist
Dr J Gillen, Consultant Ophthalmologist
Dr K Spowart, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr M Campbell, Paediatric Associate Specialist
Dr N Wright, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr G Robertson, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr L Cresswell, Consultant Paediatrician
Professor J Ravenscroft, Chair of Childhood Visual Impairment
J McGuire, Specialist VI teacher
Dr J Downie, Consultant Paediatrician
L McCarry, parent
E McCann, Specialist VI Teacher
K Westwater, Habilitation Specialist
R Scrimshire, Habilitation Specialist