Advancing Vision Care: Assessment and Intervention Frameworks for Stroke, TBI, and Complex Neurological Diagnoses (January 26, 2027)

Presented by: Jody Niemann Priest, MS, OTR/L

Vision deficits are common but often overlooked contributors to disability following neurological injury and disease. Occupational therapy practitioners are uniquely positioned to identify visual impairments, provide patient and caregiver education, and implement evidence-based interventions that enhance safety, participation, and quality of life. This webinar will present a practical approach to assessing and treating vision deficits in individuals with stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. Through clinical examples and case studies, participants will explore neuro-visual assessments, occupation-based interventions, and strategies to improve functional outcomes across everyday activities. This webinar will explore the importance of occupational therapy practitioners screening and assessing vision deficits in individuals with neurological conditions. Topics include oculomotor impairments such as saccadic dysfunction, common visual symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), evidence-based patient-reported outcome measures and clinical assessment tools, referral considerations, patient and caregiver education, and practical occupation-based intervention strategies. Participants will gain clinically relevant resources, assessment references, and evidence-based takeaways that can be immediately implemented to improve functional outcomes, safety, and participation in everyday activities. 

  You'll learn to:

• Recognize common visual and visual-perceptual impairments encountered in individuals with complex neurological diagnoses and their impact on occupational performance.

• Select and apply appropriate assessment tools and clinical observation strategies to evaluate vision deficits affecting daily function.

• Develop evidence-based intervention plans that address neuro-visual impairments through occupation-based treatment, compensatory strategies, and environmental modifications.

Client age groups 

Adults (20-64 years old) Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice 

Brain and spinal cord injuries Health promotion & wellness Neurology Older adults Vision

Levels
Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Language
English

Presenter

Jody Niemann Priest, MS, OTR/L Jody is an occupational therapist with over 30 years of experience in neurological rehabilitation across inpatient and outpatient settings. Jody serves as Chair of the Degenerative Disease Special Interest Group (DDSIG), a member of the Florida Occupational Therapy Association Continuing Education Sanctioning Committee, and AOTA Rehabilitation & Disability SIS Communities of Practice Liaison. Currently, Jody practices at AdventHealth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation in New Smyrna Beach and serves as Lead Divisional Neurological OT, supporting interdisciplinary program development, Neuro OT staff growth, and clinical education. Jody also volunteers as a medical buddy for Night to Shine, serving individuals with special needs.