When should a functional vision assessment be given to a child identified with a vision impairment?

A functional vision assessment should be conducted prior to instructional planning because it provides crucial insights into how a child's vision impairment affects their ability to engage with and access the educational curriculum. This assessment helps educators understand the child's specific visual capabilities and challenges, which in turn informs how to tailor instructional strategies and accommodations to meet the child's unique needs.

Understanding the child's functional vision allows for appropriate planning that addresses their learning style and helps optimize their participation in classroom activities. Conducting this assessment early ensures that any required interventions or modifications can be implemented from the outset, fostering a more effective learning environment.

While conducting assessments at the start of the school year or upon entering kindergarten can provide useful information, doing so prior to instructional planning specifically enables educators to make informed decisions about teaching methods and support services tailored to the child’s vision needs, aligning them with the child's learning objectives right from the beginning.