Assessment of clients with visual spatial disorders: a pilot study

Abstract

In 1983, Verlander and Stott (Aust Rehabil Rev 1983;7:20-25) identified the need for an inter-disciplinary team approach in assessing and treating clients with a visual spatial disorder. The present study completes the development of two new assessment tools which will be used as key outcome measures in a major study of the effectiveness of a program of static scanning and mobility training. Results of the Mobility Assessment Course (MAC) indicated that obstacle avoidance was a poor measure for visual neglect and highlighted the need for a structured mobility assessment. The Visual Scanning Analyser (VSA) results conveyed the importance of defining and demonstrating the perimeter of the deficit field so that the prompt ‘look to the left’ had some meaning to the client. A subject’s inability to respond effectively to multiple stimuli gave the clearest indication of visual neglect on the VSA.