At Vision-Aid, we recognize the power of community in fostering growth and learning. Our dedicated team at the Vision-Aid Resource Centre for Vision Rehabilitation, located within the renowned Aravind Eye Care in Madurai, has identified an approach that enhances therapy for children with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and multiple disabilities with visual impairment (MDVI).
The collaboration with Aravind was incepted in August 2018. Hundreds of children are managed at the center every year. The team offers tailor-made training sessions that focus on enhancing visual skills and conceptual understanding for children with CVI and MDVI. This dedication to personalized care ensures that each child receives the attention and training they need to thrive.
A New Perspective on Therapy
Traditionally, vision therapy has been characterized by one-on-one sessions between a special educator and a child with CVI/MDVI. Sometimes parents/caregivers will be allowed to be part of the therapy so that their children feel safe and respond better.
In recent times, the team noticed that when coupled with their siblings or children similar to their age, they actively complement each other in therapy and also perform better. Seeing the other child perform tasks, these children respond and improve, increasing acceptance of therapy and glasses. This also serves as a form of augmented communication, better comprehension, and improved socialization.
Benefits of Inclusion
Having friends or kids their age joining the therapy sessions has made a big difference. Working together in a group and seeing each other do well has become a really important part of how we help the children. When they see their friends doing well, it makes them feel excited and motivated to do well too. It’s like creating an energetic and friendly space for learning that goes beyond the usual way of doing things. The team found that this creates a synergistic learning environment that goes beyond the confines of traditional therapy.
Nurturing Social Skills and Confidence
One of the remarkable outcomes of this approach is the increased acceptance of therapy and also assistive aids, including spectacles. By engaging in therapy alongside their peers, children with CVI/MDVI not only find solace in shared experiences but also form bonds that extend beyond the therapy room. This sense of community might contribute significantly to socialization skills, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and acceptance.
The group setting encourages a sense of camaraderie and provides a platform for children to develop communication and socialization skills. This method becomes a supportive addition to our therapy programs, offering children the chance to learn from one another in a structured environment.
Strengthening Community Ties
Engaging in group therapy sessions can help children form meaningful relationships that extend beyond the therapy room, fostering a community that supports their growth and development.
The positive results of peer interaction and group therapy have propelled us to seek out new and exciting opportunities for innovation. Vision-Aid is not just committed to vision rehabilitation; we’re dedicated to welcoming innovative ideas to management and transforming vision rehabilitation to specific needs.
