Windows into the Visual Brain: New Discoveries about the Visual System, Its Functions, and Implications for Practitioners

Abstract

Introduction In recent years, major progress has been made in understanding the human visual system because of new investigative techniques. These developments often contradict older concepts about visual function. Methods A detailed literature search and interprofessional discussions. Results Recent innovative neurological tests are described that are able to show much more accurately the visual pathways, the process of vision, and the close relationships among sensory modalities. These tests also reveal the remarkable neuroplasticity of the human brain and disorders of connectivity that frequently involve visual function. Discussion How these recent neurological advances may benefit service providers is discussed. Implications for practitioners It is important that from time to time new neurological and ophthalmic developments are summarized for professionals who are involved in the clinical management of individuals with visual disorders and how the newly acquired knowledge affects the diagnosis and intervention strategies. Visual rehabilitation must be based on up-to-date science, which continually changes and grows with research.

The Perspectives of Teachers and Paraeducators on the Relationship between Classroom Clutter and Learning Experiences for Students with Cerebral Visual Impairment

“…In their case study research on two students with CVI and multiple dis abilities, Little and Dutton (2014) ob served improvements in the children's vi sual behaviors, as well as changes in cognitive, emotional, and physical func tioning, through the use of such a tent. Their findings are in line with the per spectives of other practitioners who sug gest that the specific learning environ ments need to be tailored carefully for children with multiple disabilities that in clude CVI to ensure they are not affected by sensory overload, which could lead to behavioral consequences (Jan et al, 2013). It is, therefore, important to create areas in which these children are not dis tracted by visual clutter, which can be achieved by creating a black background that will allow for the visual material of a highly contrasted color to stand out more (Lueck & Dutton, 2015).…”

“…It is also interesting to note that the teaching staff members noticed the changes in the students' behaviors within the first few days of the de-cluttered pe riod, which could indicate that the clutter negatively affected the students' visual skills as soon as they entered the setting prior to the research. This finding sup ports the work of Little and Dutton (2014) and Jan et al (2013), highlighting their findings that, when visual clutter is ob scured from view for specific learning tasks, students with CVI demonstrate in creased visual awareness and attention al most immediately. To extend this finding, further research that includes an analysis of specific student behaviors and engage ments in learning activities is needed to explore the effects of class-wide decluttering on the overall functioning of students.…”

Neuroplasticity and Braille Reading

“…sensory-specific areas such as visual cortex receive direct (short-latency) inputs from other sensory modalities 10 . Many authors agree on visual cortex activation in the blind during Braille reading [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] . in children with total congenital blindness, the visual cortex is redistributed to process tactile, spatial and somatosensory information, and even language 13 .…”

“…The already developed visual network in early-and late-onset blindness performs perception for other senses but in congenital blindness, the visual network will develop and strengthen only if exposed to meaningful experiences and age-dependent activities, as well as modify other senses in compensation for blindness 14 . Visual cortical pathways are recruited differentially not only in sighted and blind individuals but also in early and late blindness onset.…”

Cortical visual impairment: Diagnostic criteria and treatment elements

“…Rana stimulacija može da aktivira procese neuroplastičnosti mozga i ubrza oporavak oštećenih funkcija (Alimović, Katušić, i Jurić, 2013). Što je reorganizacija bolja, to će mehanizmi suočavanja s teškoćoma biti efektivniji (Jan et al, 2013). Deca s perinatalnim oštećenjima mozga koja su uključena u program vizuelnih stimulacija unutar prve godine života postižu dobre rezultate u domenu vizuelnog funkcionisanja (Alimović, 2013).…”