Online Visual Function Course – NON-Member Occupational Therapy Assistant

Enhancing Visual Function in School Age Children and Beyond: Strategies for Occupational Therapy Practitioners

This highly rated 6-hour virtual workshop was held in January 2025 and is perfect for occupational therapy practitioners working with adults and children who experience visual limitations to occupational performance.  The content is most applicable to school-age children as Jeff Foster relates visual function to school-based practice, but therapists in any setting will find the content helpful.

This course will help you gain an understanding of common visual impairments, their impact on learning and daily activities, and effective intervention strategies within the school setting. Additionally, the workshop will include a comparative segment on visual challenges faced by older adults, providing insights on similarities and differences across age groups. Participants will combine theoretical knowledge with practical applications, ensuring attendees are equipped with the tools to support their clients effectively. Interactive activities and engagement strategies will be used to enhance learning and participation.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify common visual limitations in school-age children and their impact on academic performance and daily activities.
2. Understand the role of occupational therapy in managing visual impairments.
3. Develop and implement effective intervention strategies for visual limitations within the school setting.
4. Incorporate vision-friendly classroom modifications to support children with visual impairments.
5. Recognize and address visual challenges in older adults, applying relevant strategies to their practice.
6. Compare and contrast visual impairments in children and older adults, utilizing a range of tools and resources to support both populations.

Jeff Foster is an experienced occupational therapist with over two decades of expertise in clinical practice and educational leadership. Currently, he serves as the Program Director for the OTA Program at CBD College, overseeing program management, accreditation, curriculum development, and faculty training. In addition, Jeff has been providing direct and consultative occupational therapy services in handwriting, low vision, and sensory integration within the Madison County School District since 2012. As a National Presenter and Consultant for Learning Without Tears, he delivers training on handwriting and pre-K curriculum to educators and therapy professionals across the country. Jeff also offers specialized training for schools, teachers, occupational therapy practitioners, and parents, focusing on vision impairment, visual processing, dysgraphia, and other handwriting challenges in children. He is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Learning and Technology from Valdosta State University, with a projected completion in May 2025.