At the end of February 2020, a new baby entered the Eli'a Rehovot branch.
1 year old chronological age, 10 months standardized age. Born prematurely at 32 weeks , diagnosed with a grade 3 cerebral hematoma and cerebral venous dilation, he underwent lent surgery to drain the fluids.
In the acquaintance committee held two months earlier, it appears that there is a significant visual impairment, with the disability not ocular but probably cerebral, following a number of factors in the examination that can imply a diagnosis of cortical vision impairment( CVI). The recommendation given is a suitable environment and early intervention for the purpose of encouraging and improving vision function capabilities.
About a week after entering the daycare center, due to a health problem, the baby was hospitalized and did not arrive at the daycare center until after the re-opening of the daycare center at the end of the coronavirus closure, at the end of April 2020.
Throughout the entire period, there was remote communication between the mother and the kindergarten teacher and the branch's professional staff. The escort took place at least twice a week and the mother happily complied with any guidance given. Towards the end of March, the possibility of performing a vision assessment with the help of the mother was raised, accompanied by guidance from the kindergarten teacher and the Erogenous Vision Instructor of elia. The mother happily cooperated and began performing vision exercises at home with the baby according to detailed instructions given to her. The practices were video-removed and sent to the kindergarten teacher. After each video sent, visual function skills were evaluated through the kindergarten teacher and vision instructor and instructions were given to the mother due to the functional abilities observed.
The practices were carried out in room lighting with illuminated objects, in the dark with illuminated objects, in the dark with red objects and with shiny objects, in the use of objects with an element of movement and so on. Tested skills of focusing gaze, tracking, reaching out towards objects, hand-eye coordination and more. Parameters of response speed and duration of responses were also examined– delay and delay.
After each video and examination of the functioning, the mother was given guidance on how to perform vision exercises with the baby at home. The mother's cooperation in conducting the remote vision assessment, enabled us to continue in creative ways and teach the important and meaningful work of promoting the functioning of the baby's vision.
At the beginning of May, upon returning to normal, a vision assessment was carried out in the garden and its findings seemed to match the initial assessment done remotely and the objectives of the work on which the mother was given guidance.
