Functional Visual Behavior in Adults: An Occupational Therapy Guide

Vision is the result of a complex system, a powerful pathway for entering the human master computer--the brain-- and is the "meeting ground" where adaptive behavior is organized. Occupational therapy professionals need to understand the visual system because it is vulnerable to many dysfunctional skills, which can impact its effectiveness as an information-processing tool. Treatment of the visual system can lead to improvements in clients' muscle tone; posture; movement; and visual-motor, visual-spatial, visual-perceptual, and cognitive functioning. This new edition provides a framework to explore the complexities of the visual system and to further the collaboration of occupational therapists with eye care professionals to increase benefits to clients, because optimizing visual behavior can enhance motor fucntion and quality of life.

Michele Gentile, MA, OTR/L, is currently executive director of Achievement Therapies, LLC, and adjunct professor in the Occupational Therapy Department at the State University of New York-Stony Brook and in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Suffolk County Community College.