Understanding Cerebral Visual Impairment from the Inside Out

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Despite being the leading cause of visual impairment in children in the economically developed world, CVI remains largely unidentified and undiagnosed - particularly in children with typical or near-typical visual acuity. The impact of living with unidentified visual difficulties, especially in educational settings, can be catastrophic: affecting not only academic attainment, but mental wellbeing, physical health, and overall quality of life.

It is vital that these children are identified, empowered, and supported as early as possible - so that every one of them has the opportunity to thrive. For this to happen, the current identification process must be re-examined. The status quo is not consistently or effectively finding these children, and that has to change.

Drawing on her own lived experience of CVI and her research into identifying and supporting children with CVI in mainstream schools, Nicola offers a perspective that is both deeply personal and rigorously evidence-based - understanding CVI truly from the inside out.

BIO

Dr Nicola McDowell is the founder and creator of the Austin Assessment and Austin McDowell Foundation, and a Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Education, Massey University.

Her research interests include understanding and supporting children and young people who have cerebral visual impairment, empowerment of children and their parents/caregivers and equity in education.

She is a renowned international speaker on cerebral visual impairment, sharing both her research and personal experience with a focus on improving outcomes for others with the condition.