Abstract
[Low Vision: Guidelines for Vision Stimulation and Training]
A frequently used approach to the rehabilitation of partially sighted individuals consists in stimulating or training the subject to “see” better. Several research findings and theoretical issues are presented which may provide useful guidelines for the evaluation of existing stimulation and training techniques, as well as for the construction of new techniques. Interest in research and theory is important since actually used techniques are mainly based upon clinical experience and intuition. The following topics are discussed: (1) The visual assessment and training programs of Marianne Frostig, Michael Tobin, and Nathalie Barraga; (2) the appropriate age and appropriate stimuli for stimulation as a means of preventing visual-neural deprivation in the young child; (3) the stimulation of visual attention and learning in the child with severe brain damage and mental retardation through behavior therapy, as well as through the use of an attention-scatter reduction environment; (4) visual discrimination training in the partially sighted child or adult through fading and feedback training for improving acuity, as well as through peripheral detection exercices for improving mobility; and finally. (5) the importance of visuo-motor activity for visual training.