Visually Attend

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated May 28, 2024
​Encouraging visually attending skills in students with visual impairments involves gradually introducing them to different visual stimuli and providing opportunities for exploration and engagement. The following are some strategies for helping students develop visually attending skills.
  • Visually Attend to Lights​. Start by introducing the student to light-up toys or objects that capture their attention visually. Choose toys with lights that can be turned on and off independently from any accompanying sounds to encourage the student to focus solely on the visual stimulus.
  • ​Visually Attend to Reflective Materials. Once the student is comfortable with lights, introduce reflective materials such as Mylar balloons, metallic pinwheels, or shiny silverware. These materials can help the student practice visually attending to objects with different textures and reflective properties.
  • ​Visually Attend to Moving Objects​. Encourage the student to visually attend to moving objects and actions, such as fountains, fish tanks, or wind chimes. Point out the movements of these objects and encourage the student to observe and comment on them.
  • ​Visually Attend to Pictures​. Provide opportunities for the student to explore and engage with visual images, such as photo albums, picture books, or magazines. Choose materials with simple, uncluttered images to help the student focus on individual pictures.
  • ​Gradual Progression. Introduce visually attending skills gradually, starting with simpler stimuli and gradually increasing complexity as the student becomes more comfortable and proficient. Provide support and encouragement as the student explores and interacts with visual stimuli.
  • ​Provide Verbal Cues​. Use verbal cues and prompts to help direct the student's attention to specific visual stimuli. Describe what the student is seeing and encourage them to focus on different aspects of the visual scene.
  • Encourage Exploration​. Allow the student to explore and interact with visual stimuli in a safe and supportive environment. Provide opportunities for hands-on exploration and encourage the student to use their senses to gather information about the visual world around them.
By providing a variety of visual stimuli and opportunities for exploration, you can help students with visual impairments develop and strengthen their visually attending skills over time. With patience, support, and encouragement, students can learn to effectively use their vision to engage with the world around them.

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