Hearing And Vision Screenings In A Special Education Setting

Hearing and vision screenings prior to special education evaluations, are mandatory to ensure the student is capable of hearing and seeing all evaluation items.

Hearing And Vision Screenings

For students receiving special education services, hearing and vision screenings prior to special education evaluations, are mandatory and important. These screenings ensure that the student is capable of hearing and seeing all evaluation items. The screenings help to rule out the possibility that a student may have difficulty learning due to a hearing or vision problem.

What Are Hearing And Vision Screenings In Special Education?

These are the same standard, quick, and non-invasive tests given to all students but have a particular significance in a special education setting.

Hearing Screening: A pure-tone test is typically used, where the student wears headphones and responds to quiet tones at different pitches and volumes. Some tests may also check middle-ear function with a technique called impedance screening, which requires no response from the child.
Vision Screening: This test typically uses a chart, like the standard eye chart with letters or a “Tumbling E” chart, to measure the student’s visual acuity from a set distance. Advanced digital screeners may also be used.

Why Are These Screenings Necessary For Students With Disabilities?

Why are these screenings necessary for students with disabilities?

Ensures accurate assessment: The primary purpose of these screenings is to rule out sensory deficits as the cause of a child’s learning difficulties. For example, what may appear to be an attention issue could actually be an uncorrected hearing or vision problem.
Identifies co-occurring conditions: Children with disabilities are at a higher risk of having vision and/or hearing problems. These screenings help identify such conditions so that they can be treated, improving the child’s overall well-being and academic performance.
Informs the IEP team: The results provide valuable data for the IEP team to understand the student’s strengths and weaknesses. This information helps the team determine appropriate goals, services, accommodations, and related services (like audiology or low vision services).
Required for evaluation and reevaluation: Hearing and vision screenings are a mandatory part of a student’s initial special education evaluation and scheduled reevaluations.

What Do The Screening Results Mean For Your Child?

If your child passes the screening:

This suggests that your child does not have basic vision or hearing issues that may affect their learning.
However, a simple screening does not detect more complex visual skills, such as how the eyes work together or tracking ability. If you have ongoing concerns, you should tell your child’s pediatrician.

What If Your Child Fails The Screening?

A failed screening is not a diagnosis. It indicates that your child may need a more comprehensive evaluation by a medical professional, such as an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or audiologist.
The IEP team will send you a referral for follow-up testing.
The IEP evaluation process should continue without delay, but the team may use compensatory strategies and multiple modes of presenting information to your child during this time.
Once a formal diagnosis is made, the IEP team will reconvene to review the results and decide if the IEP needs to be updated. For example:
- Accommodations: The IEP may be changed to include accommodations like preferential seating, visual aids, or allowing extra time to process information.
- Services: Your child may qualify for additional related services, such as assistive technology, or support from a Teacher of the Visually Impaired.
- Educational Needs: The team will make sure your child’s educational needs are being met and that they can access all classroom instruction.

Final Thoughts

Children receiving special education services require vision and hearing screenings as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) evaluation process to ensure sensory impairments aren’t contributing to or complicating their educational needs.

If your child has not received these services prior to an evaluation – or if you simply have questions, please feel free to give ma call, I offer a free initial consultation.