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DIY Light Box - Light to Increase Visual Attention
Deirdre Galvin-McLaughlin
5/14/2018 11:03 PM
Post by Kayley McDonald, OTD Doctoral Candidate
A key characteristic of children with cortical visual impairment (CVI), especially in the early phases, is the need or draw toward light. Being aware of this quality allows parents and those working with children with CVI to adapt the activities by using more light and lighted objects. As was mentioned in a previous post about the power of highlighting, this is a similar concept - providing ample opportunity to encourage children to look and increase their visual attention. It is common for teachers for the visually impaired to work with children with CVI using a light box, which can be purchased through different companies, but even just the mini light box from AFB.org is $135.
Light Box Instructions
Another option instead of purchasing a lightbox or being dependent on borrowing the lightbox provided by early intervention services you can make your own lightbox for much less! Attached is a PDF of the instructions on the materials and how-to make your own lightbox at home. There is also a helpful blog that provides more instructions on how to make the lightbox, as well as activity ideas to play with your child using the lightbox. The intent of the lightbox is to assist your child in looking consistently at targets using the light as a feature that attracts their attention and promotes their ability to visually see simple, colorful objects placed on it. If you have other children, the lightbox is also a fun activity for your other child to partner play with them and is really a fun activity for all children regardless of visual abilities! Just be aware that it is still important to keep talking and noise down, because any extra noise or talking in the room will distract your child and limit their ability to visually focus on the lightbox activities.
When using the lightbox it is helpful to describe salient features of the items - such as stating that a cat has two pointy ears, whiskers, and two big eyes - teaching your child the characteristics or qualities that make each thing unique.
Spotlighting is another way to incorporate the characteristic of light - using a bright, LED flashlight (recommended to be at least 350 lumens) to spotlight objects or symbols to draw your child's visual attention to them by using light!
Images of light box (lights are on in the room as well) with objects placed on top - draws visual attention of children!
Visual Behavior,Speech-Language Pathologist,Parent/Family Member,Occupational Therapist,Physical Therapist,Other,Intervention Strategies
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