BASIC MATERIALS LIST FOR YOU FVE KIT

This is a SUGGESTED list. It in NO WAY represents a requirement for this class. Please do not go out and spend LOTS of money buying this stuff. TVIs accumulate and refine their kits over YEARS of practice. Just get started with yours. You should also note that almost every TVI does the FVE process a little differently or has materials that they prefer, so use your own judgement. Mainly, your FVE kit is a GREAT reason to haunt toy stores and garage sales for the rest of your life! :)

 

Eye Charts - at least one to assess near vision and one to assess distance vision. I personally prefer 10 foot (as opposed to 20 foot) charts, and my all time favorite is the HOTV which is produced by Good-lite(http://www.good-lite.com/). It can be used by children of all ages who have the ability to indicate matching. I also like the "House, Apple, Umbrella" charts (both near and distance). You can also access more information, and even a "make your own eye chart" exercise by hitting ISEE's web site at http://www.i-see.org/eyecharts.html.

Penlight flashlight with filters or pencil toppers -- This is probably THE most important piece of equipment that a TVI owns, so make sure that you have spare batteries (or spare penlights if you're using disposables). You also need something to dim or diffuse the light for kids that are photophobic. The American Printing House for the Blind (1-800-223-1839)sells filters that are made just for this purpose (catalogue number 1-08390-00), but you can also use those little creatures that kids buy at Walmart to put on top of their pencils.

Eye patches -- these are helpful when you're trying to get some response from a single eye. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. I prefer to also carry a "pirate patch" that I can use with a gauze insert. Kids sometimes think it's funny to look like a pirate. You can also just cut shapes from index cards. Whatever you use, be sure it's disposable -- you don't want to spread diseases from child to child

Reading samples -- I like to carry at least one of the following:

Writing materials -- I like to carry plenty of plain white typing paper and a good dark Sharpie in a variety of colors. Then, I may have the student do a dot to dot with a pencil and then a pen or a 20/20 pen and look for any performance differences. I also carry a range of pencils, pens, felt tipped markers, etc.

Coloring materials -- I either xerox something to color, or I carry a coloring book. If I suspect that the student has color perception problems, I'll make a couple of copies of a coloring exercise and color in one myself and then as the student to do the blank one exactly the same way.

Balls -- You need a wide variety of balls. I like Nerf balls because the don't break things if you use them indoors. You need a wide variety of colors, sizes, etc.

Fine motor stuff -- scissors, Play Dough, Barrell of Monkey games, etc.

Stacking and sorting toys

Shiny stuff -- Mylar pom poms and the skins out of wine boxes are GREAT (not to mention that you get to drink the wine!). Pinwheels are good.

Flashing stuff -- Toys that blink lights, Lite Brites, glow dolls, etc.

Stuff that makes noise -- Toys that play music, tapes, etc.

Bubbles -- No self respecting TVI would leave the house to do an FVE without their bottle of bubbles. You can opt for either the old fashioned wand for making bubbles, or the new battery powered gun model!

Balloons

Anything else you like, is interesting, or you find cheap at a garage sale.

You should probably also be aware that a company called Vision Associates sells whole kits that are designed for Functional Vision Evaluations. You can hit their site at http://www.visionkits.com/. I honestly think these are a bit over priced, and they I like the flexibility of deciding on my own stuff, but it might be worth looking into.