An Undetected Cause of Learning and Reading Difficulties



Posted: Wednesday, May 10, 2006

by
Bright Eye Care & Vision Development

Studies indicate that vision is a key element (almost 80 percent) in the learning process especially during a child’s first twelve years. The basic visual input skills needed for school use are as follows:



If any of these or other vision skills such as visual information processing and visual-sensory integration are lacking or not functioning properly, your child will have to work harder to learn and to read. This can lead to headaches, fatigue, eyestrain and learning difficulties. As a parent, being alert to symptoms that may indicate that your child has a vision or visual processing problem can greatly help your child.



When children have undetected vision problems, school can become such a struggle. Signs that your child may be experiencing vision difficulties in the classroom include, but are not limited to the following: trouble finishing written assignments, losing their place when reading, having a short attention span when doing close work, skipping words when reading, making errors when copying from a classroom board, holding reading materials closer than normal, rubbing their eyes, and having greater potential than grades may indicate.



To help ensure a lifetime of healthy eyes and vision, comprehensive eye health and vision exams should be performed when a child is six months old, three years old, five years old (or when your child enters school), and every year thereafter. A school vision test or a pediatrician's screening, while helpful, is not a substitute for a thorough eye examination. One in four children has an undiagnosed vision problem which can interfere with learning and lead to academic and/or behavioral problems. However, it is important to know that these children frequently do not report symptoms because they think everyone sees the same way they do. Parents and educators often incorrectly assume that if a child passes a school vision screening, then there is no vision problem. In reality, the vision skills needed for successful reading and learning are much more complex than just visual acuity. A child who can see “20/20" may still have a vision problem that interferes with learning.

Dr. Edward Fong is the executive director of Bright Eye Care & Vision Development in Sugar Land, Texas. Dr. Fong is the developer of M.O.V.E. Therapy (www.movetherapy.com), a program of treatment for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).  M.O.V.E. Therapy helps children with ASDs improve overall performance in the areas of movement, language and cognition.  Dr. Fong also specializes in treating the underlying causes of learning and reading dysfunctions. His experience includes working with those ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, autism, amblyopia, cerebral palsy, stroke victims and many others.  Dr. Fong is recognized by Dr. Phil ( http://drphil.com/shows/page/resources/).
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)
» left by Anonymous
 5 years 265 days ago.
Never knew that - will look into it!
» left by Anonymous
 5 years 265 days ago.
Very informative article.
» left by Anonymous
 5 years 256 days ago.
Fantastic article on something that is not that well known.
» left by Anonymous
 3 years 314 days ago.
The information is helpful and definitely something I will research further.
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