mazes

MAZES is another of the activities which fall under the phrase: “Close To”. Here they will learn how to distribute their visual attention to perform this task.

Each maze sets up the visual space to be explored. In most, there is an entry point and a goal, though some have multiple entry or exit points. By this time, and as a result of the progression in the Line Tracing activity of going from the use of the three different loops to then first “tracing” just with the visual system and then checking with the loop, the patient has learned to move through more and more complex visual challenges without the aid of a finger, hand, loop, or pointer. Thus, we are building on this here by having them begin with some simple mazes and first “solving” the maze without any assistance of a physical reinforcer. We say, “Do it with just your eyes.” but we know that it takes the entire visual process and commitment by the person to do it…just with their eyes!

Once they have done it this way, they can “check” their work or “demonstrate” their work by moving a pick up stick or pointed of some sort through the maze, showing us the direct path they discovered. If, when you have the demonstrate their solution, you see them hitting dead ends and having to try multiple paths, that is a good indication that they didn’t come up with a solution or they didn’t remember their solution from the “eyes only” exploration. Encourage them to go back and solve it again without the pointer and then show us their solution. The main thing you can alter to change the demand level here is the complexity of the maze.

Below is a simple started maze.

Starter Book - The Maze Book by Paul McCreary

HOME PRACTICE: Photocopies of mazes can be sent home. By doing this, it allows you to grade the difficulty levels of what your patient is working with/from so that the time spent is worthwhile, meaning you have them in the zone of proximal development. Collecting books or websites which you can direct your patients to will be valuable. Now there are many sites with online mazes. They can “solve” them on the screen without a physical aid and then demonstrate the solution to their home helper with the pointer or pick up stick.

THE USUAL STUFF ABOUT PATCHES:

We will have the patient explore this with and without a patch. The person should be able to solve mazes with each channel as a leader. Most of these will and should be done without a patch. Ultimately, this should be done with both eyes open and in a free and easy manner.