WPSBC Annual Report 2024-2025 - Flipbook - Page 13
From the moment families
arrive on the School’s campus,
the experience is designed to
be personal and engaging.
Each session begins with a
conversation prior to any
evaluations, as we like to give
the families a chance to tell
their story. We listen carefully
as they share about their child’s
daily experiences. This helps
our team understand who the
child is beyond their diagnosis.
The child is then invited to
play in a supportive, low-stress
environment where he or she is
observed by a multidisciplinary
team. This team is made up of
a Teacher of Students with
Visual Impairments (TVI), an
Occupational Therapist, a
Physical Therapist, and a
Speech-Language Pathologist.
Together, they explore how the
child uses their vision, interacts
with their environment, and
engages in play.
This team-based, “arena-style”
evaluation allows specialists
to observe multiple areas of
development, from gross and
fine motor skills to communication
and social interaction.
After the assessment, families
receive a comprehensive
written report with individualized
recommendations to help their
child succeed at home and in
school. The report provides:
• Strategies for creating
supportive learning
environments tailored to
each child’s visual needs.
Many families share that the
VisAbilities Clinic not only helps
them discover new answers and
resources, but also to find a new
level of hope. For parents hearing
the words “visual impairment”
or “CVI” as a diagnosis, the clinic
becomes a place where they
can truly understand what that
means for their child as far
as challenges—but more
importantly—potential.
• Practical resources like toy
and play recommendations
that will make everyday play
more accessible and fun.
For other children like Rocco—
whose story is featured on
page 8—the clinic becomes a
bridge to enrollment at WPSBC.
• Guidance for educators,
early intervention providers,
and families on maximizing
learning potential.
No matter what the outcome,
each visit to the clinic is a story
of discovery for the child and
their family. Whether they come
seeking answers, reassurance,
or guidance, our goal is the
same: to help them see the
possibilities for their child.
2024-2025 Annual Report
Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children
• Options for ongoing
consultation to ensure
that families feel supported
as their child grows and
changes.
Families often learn about the
VisAbilities Clinic through
ophthalmologists, early
intervention teams, or school
professionals. Some visit once
to gather resources; others
return as their child’s needs
evolve. Many take the
recommendations we provide
back to their home school
districts to help shape
Individualized Education
Programs (IEPs) or Early
Intervention plans.
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