Life & Work with Tori Schladen of South Bay

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tori Schladen.

Hi Tori, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My interest and future career path working with children that have unique developmental and health challenges began with an internship at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute (NPI) in 1984 when I was an undergrad. The students I worked with attended the school at the NPI. I couldn’t help but wonder about their families. When was their child diagnosed? What was that experience like for them? Were there professionals to guide and support them? I became passionate about supporting families at the earliest point possible after their child receives a serious lifelong diagnosis. After taking more courses in Special Education and Early Intervention, I applied for the Master of Arts program in Early Childhood Special Education at San Francisco State and received my degree in 1987. My first job was back in LA at the Junior Blind, establishing a home-based early intervention program for infants birth to 3 with visual impairment. In 1988 I met another recent UCLA grad, Dr. Bill Takeshita, who was a pioneer in Developmental Vision for young children working at the non-profit Center for the Partially Sighted.

Dr. Bill as he was affectionately known, and I developed a model of Vision Educator and Eye Doctor team, incorporating educational recommendations into pediatric vision exams. I worked together with Dr. Bill at the Center for the Partially Sighted for 17 years before it closed in 2016. I saw firsthand the heartbreaking grief; anxiety and stress families experienced when they learned their child had a visual impairment. Many parents gave up hope. Together with our partner eye doctors, we were able to educate parents about how their child was using their remaining vision, demonstrate strategies to encourage vision development and provide support throughout childhood. Our mission then and to this day is to assess and explain how children are using the vision they have and to empower parents with the recommendations about all the ways to accommodate for reduced sight or blindness. Our goal is that every family leaves the eye exam with the information, support and resources they need to help their child thrive with a professional partner by their side.

In 2016 I founded Partners for Pediatric Vision (PPV) to continue providing our model of Vision Educators working alongside Pediatric Eye Doctors before, during and after exams. Since 1988, the Vision Educator – Eye Doctor model that began decades ago has continued to change the lives of thousands of children with visual impairment and their families. Our unique model is not covered by insurance or state funding. PPV services are helping those in need thanks to generous foundations and individual donors. Next year as we mark the 10th anniversary of Partners for Pediatric Vision, we recognize and thank our community of supporters who make it possible to help children and families overcome barriers to vision loss and succeed.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Studies show that approximately 80% of learning during the early years occurs through the visual system. Visual impairment has serious consequences for almost every aspect of a child’s development and yet California and the nation do not have a mandatory vision screening to recognize potential issues early. Having a comprehensive eye exam at the earliest sign of vision concerns is even more critical. As an early interventionist, I’m passionate about ensuring that vision concerns are identified and addressed at the soonest point possible. I founded the non-profit Partners for Pediatric Vision to increase the number of children identified at-risk for vision loss and link them to free or low cost vision care and services. And to support parents who are adapting to raising a child with visual challenges.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The mission of Partners for Pediatric Vision (PPV) is to turn possibilities into achievements for children with visual impairment and their families. When children with vision loss and their families receive timely, individualized vision care, they achieve learning success and independence, further loss of sight and eye disease is prevented, children can maximize their sight with low vision devices and families experience less stress and more hope. The free services we provide in English and Spanish are individualized to meet the unique needs of our children ages birth to 18 and their families throughout childhood. Our Child and Family Vision Specialists begin providing education, support, resource and referral and access to pediatric eye care at the first point of contact. The background of our team includes early intervention, special education, family counseling, psychology, and social work in addition to decades of training by pediatric eye doctors about diagnoses and treatment.

Parents whose child has a suspected or diagnosed visual condition are often overwhelmed and uncertain about where to turn for answers and guidance. Some of the children who receive our services are neurodiverse with unique challenges in addition to vision. PPV Specialists, including two who are parents of children with vision loss themselves, our Executive Director and I, sit in on eye exams, demonstrate learning accommodations for vision loss, and provide education and support through parent groups, family events, advocacy training and weekly phone calls.

Our comprehensive services are unique because we develop education and support plans based on each family’s most pressing needs and that includes collaborating with eye doctors, educators, therapists, social service providers and others throughout Southern California. It is not uncommon for parents of children with visual impairment to tell us that they were lost and hopeless until they found our services. Gaining the trust of families in order to positively impact the trajectory of their child’s life is a privilege. We are proud to walk beside hundreds of families every year on their child’s journey of achievement.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Spread the word! Vision is a learned and developed skill in early childhood. There is hope for children to maximize their remaining sight and overcome barriers to permanent sight loss. Reach out to us at PPV if you are a family member of a child with vision concerns, a professional who is interested in learning more about the impact of vision on children or someone who would like to support the hundreds of children and families receiving our services. Our model can be scaled to meet the needs of a growing number of vulnerable families who face reductions or cuts to health care and critical support services. Donate, volunteer or connect with PPV on social media to meet and impact our inspiring children and families. The children we serve and their communities benefit when awareness and support are strongest. Help change the way children see the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.partnersforpediatricvision.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partners4pediatricvision
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/partnersforpediatricvision
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/partners-for-pediatric-vision
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Partners4PediatricVision
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@partners4pediatricvision

Image Credits
Leanne Robinson