Speaking with Strabismics: Practical Communication Strategies for Effective Vision Therapy – Dr. Ariel Hannaford, Optometrist, BSc, OD, COEP, FOVDR
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Speaking with Strabismics: Practical Communication Strategies for Effective Vision Therapy Presented by Dr. Ariel Hannaford, Optometrist, BSc, OD, COEP, FOVDR
Communication is one of the most powerful tools in vision therapy, particularly when working with individuals who have strabismus. Patients with strabismus often experience unique visual, perceptual, emotional, and social challenges that can influence how they understand instructions, engage in therapy, and communicate their visual experiences.
In this practical and engaging presentation, Ariel Hannaford explores effective communication techniques that help vision therapists and optometrists build stronger therapeutic relationships with strabismic patients of all ages. Participants will learn how to recognize common communication barriers, ask more meaningful questions, interpret patient feedback, and adapt instructions to improve understanding and performance during therapy activities.
Drawing from clinical experience and real-world case examples, this lecture will provide actionable strategies for fostering patient confidence, increasing compliance, and creating a supportive environment that encourages success. Attendees will leave with practical tools they can immediately apply in their practices to enhance patient engagement and optimize vision therapy outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the unique communication challenges often encountered by patients with strabismus.
- Develop techniques for obtaining more accurate and meaningful patient feedback.
- Learn strategies for adapting instructions to different ages, abilities, and visual conditions.
- Improve patient motivation, confidence, and participation during vision therapy.
- Apply practical communication approaches that support successful clinical outcomes.
Profile
Dr. Ariel Hannaford is a licensed optometrist with a clinical focus in behavioural and developmental vision care, including vision therapy and rehabilitation. She has extensive experience conducting comprehensive functional vision assessments and managing individualized treatment plans for patients with learning-related vision disorders, strabismus, amblyopia, acquired brain injury, and pediatric visual conditions.
Currently practicing at The Vision Development Centre, she integrates evidence-based optometric care with a multidisciplinary approach, emphasizing visual information processing and neurovisual function. Dr. Hannaford is actively involved in professional leadership and advocacy, serving on the board of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Optometrists and contributing to organizations advancing vision therapy and rehabilitation.