FunVis: evaluating a brief functional vision assessment for non-vision specialists working with non-speaking children with bilateral cerebral palsy.

Abstract

This study evaluated a brief functional vision assessment (<i>FunVis</i>) for use by non‑vision specialists working with non‑speaking children with cerebral palsy. <i>FunVis</i> evaluates children's ability to fixate, shift gaze, and track a moving object. Forty‑four children participated. We analysed relationships between FunVis performance: (i) when scored by school staff and separately by a vision specialist; (ii) and the Eye‑Pointing Classification Scale; (iii) and child characteristics; and (iv) the presence of visual impairments. Agreement between non‑vision specialists and the vision specialist ranged from substantial to fair, with the strongest agreement for gaze fixation. <i>FunVis</i> performance was significantly associated with functional descriptors on the Eye‑Pointing Classification Scale, as well as with child language and non‑verbal cognition. No associations were found with chronological age or gross motor ability. Children who had difficulty with one or more <i>FunVis</i> items were more likely to have clinically identified visual impairments than those who successfully fixated, shifted gaze, and tracked. FunVis appears valuable for supporting school staff in recognising functional vision abilities and providing a structured method for documenting visual behaviours that might otherwise go unnoticed.