Teaching approach for children with visual dysfunctions ̶ practical instructions for acquiring academic skills

The education of children with difficulties in visual functioning caused by lesions or dysfunctions in the central nervous system represents a significant challenge. This condition is called cerebral visual impairment and it is usually accompanied by normal ophthalmological results. Functional problems that occur in children can manifest as mild difficulties in directing visual attention, up to the complete inability to use vision effectively in certain situations. This variable behaviour of a child is (wrongly) interpreted as clumsiness, a lack of understanding and attention or it is attributed to problems in social functioning and communication, where in most cases it is not recognised as a consequence of difficulties in visual functioning. Problems with eyesight result in problems in academic activities, and the needs of children with cerebral visual impairment are unique. The aim of the paper is to point out, by reviewing the relevant literature, the specific behaviours typical of children with cerebral visual impairment and to offer general recommendations for an adequate teaching approach in working with these students, which could result in the improvement of their school achievement and facilitate the acquisition of academic skills. The paper contains suggestions for teaching strategies and adaptations of teaching materials, as well as recommendations for adaptations in space. The aforementioned adaptations can be useful both for students with cerebral visual impairment and for students with other developmental disabilities, as well as for students from the typical population

Multilocular sinonasal malignant melanoma: a poor prognostic subgroup?

Clinical observations show that two subtypes of sinonasal malignant melanoma exist: uni- and multilocular melanoma. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence and outcome of multilocular sinonasal malignant melanoma. All patients with sinonasal malignant melanoma treated at our institution between 1992 and 2011 were included. Survival and recurrence data were analyzed related to the distribution pattern of the tumors and other factors. Twenty-five patients were identified and included in the analysis. Seven patients (28 %) suffered from multilocular, the remaining 18 patients (72 %) from unilocular sinonasal malignant melanoma. The first group showed a significantly worse disease-free survival, whereas disease-specific and overall survival did not differ between the two subtypes. Multilocular sinonasal malignant melanoma is associated with an unfavorable disease-free survival compared to its unilocular counterpart