Specialist, Early Intervention

• May conduct/or participate in an initial and ongoing assessments for children aged, birth to school entry, with vision loss. Assists child, family and community team in developing rehabilitation goals.

• Develops and/or contributes to Individual Family Service or Intervention Plan developed by the local community IE Team to assist children with vision loss in developing motor, visual, cognitive, self-care, social, literacy and sensory skills in accordance with vision rehabilitation goals.

• Evaluates child’s progress to revise service plans and implement programs that address child and family needs.

• Assesses environmental conditions, accessibility, and safety in settings that the child encounters (home, preschool, playgrounds, etc.)

• Provides support and information to parents and caregivers on methods and techniques for helping to overcome barriers to inclusion. Provides support and information to parents/caregiver to enhance advocacy skills.

• Acts as a consultant/resource to the professional and service community regarding issues pertaining to children with vision loss including children with multiple disabilities.

• Provides interventions and supports to the child and family in the form of: direct intervention; resources and information; collaboration with other programs and service providers; presentations; and transition planning.

• Completes required documentation including individualized family service plan, assessments, progress reports, statistics on service delivery, etc.

• Keeps abreast of current materials, technology, standards of practice related to providing service to children with vision loss by review of professional literature, attending conferences/workshops and accessing other current sources of information.

• As part of the Child, Family, Community Team Service Plan, develops intervention/therapeutic activities and programs to assist children with vision loss.

• Interacts with child, their family and community team to develop and identify vision related goals and develop early intervention and therapy programs, and support families to follow through on recommendations.

• Works closely and collaboratively with key partner organizations.

• Builds and maintains good working relationships with professionals in other agencies and community groups, particularly others on the child’s therapy team.

• Educates stakeholders about VLRC and its specialized programs offered to children and their families and the importance of early intervention.

• Works as a multi-disciplinary team and participates in team meetings.

• Advocates on child’s behalf in medical clinics, daycare, preschool, school transition and community programs, etc. when possible.

• Instructs and supervises volunteers and students (and Occupational Therapy Assistants where applicable) to work with children.

• Position utilizes problem solving abilities related to implementing and developing intervention and therapy programs for children with vision loss.

• Problem solving involved in adapting programs, materials and equipment to address the needs of children with complex health conditions.

• In case of critical incidents such as indications of child abuse or medical emergencies the Early Intervention Specialist must immediately report concerns and ensure children are receiving appropriate care. Procedure varies by province.

• You must be able to work with a child’s family recognizing their complex needs including; cultural, religious, mental health needs and/or emotional support.

• Decision making based on training and experience working with children with visual impairments, and individual assessment and reassessment, to develop an appropriate service plan.

• Judgment is utilized for making decisions about method, schedule, and type of assessment and treatment and the manner in which parents are taught to follow through on recommendations.

• This position is itinerant, requiring frequent visits to family homes and community programs, daycare, preschool, Child Development Centers.

• Provides leadership and guidance when training and supervising volunteers, parents, students and community.

• Takes initiative to develop/implement the most appropriate intervention for child and in maintaining current knowledge associated with children with vision loss.

Vision Loss Rehabilitation