When a child struggles in school, they are often labeled as a “slow learner” or even identified with a specific learning disability. However, these labels don’t always tell the whole story and can be quite discouraging.
In many cases, the underlying issue is not a lack of intelligence or effort, but rather a vision problem. Vision problems, particularly those related to visual perceptual skills or binocular vision dysfunction, can significantly hinder a child’s ability to learn and perform well in school. They can mimic learning difficulties and even ADHD, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate interventions.
Vision therapy at The Vision Development Team in North Royalton offers a solution. By addressing underlying issues with customized vision therapy exercises, children can develop the skills they need to succeed.
The Role of Vision in Learning
Vision is an essential component of effective learning, as up to 80% of what a child learns in school is through visual input.
If a child has undiagnosed vision problems like binocular vision dysfunction, then tasks like reading, writing, and concentrating in class can become incredibly challenging. This can lead to a slower pace in completing tasks, frustration, and low self-esteem.
Common types of binocular vision disorders that can impact a child’s academic journey include:
- Convergence Insufficiency: This occurs when the eyes struggle to focus together on close objects. It makes close-up work difficult, leading to skipping lines or a disinterest in reading.
- Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): Misalignment of the eyes can cause double vision. This can lead to problems with depth perception and coordination, making learning challenging.
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): When one eye is weaker than the other, it can cause reduced vision in the affected eye. Without treatment, amblyopia can lead to permanent vision loss in the weaker eye and difficulty with tasks that require precise visual input.
What is Vision Therapy & How Does It Help?
Vision therapy is a specialized program designed to improve and strengthen the visual skills necessary for learning. This includes:
- Eye Tracking: The ability to follow a moving object smoothly and accurately with both eyes.
- Eye Teaming (Binocularity): The ability to coordinate both eyes so that they work together effectively.
- Focusing (Accommodation): The ability to maintain clear vision when looking at objects at different distances.
- Visual Perceptual Skills: These involve the brain’s ability to make sense of what the eyes see.
- Depth Perception: The ability to judge distances accurately, which is vital for activities like playing sports, driving, and even walking without tripping.
- Eye-Hand Coordination: The ability to use visual input to guide hand movements, crucial for writing.
Why Early Intervention with Vision Therapy Matters
Unlike simple corrective lenses, vision therapy addresses the root causes of vision problems through customized eye exercises. These exercises are designed to improve the brain-eye connection and enhance visual perceptual skills.
By recognizing and addressing vision problems early, parents and educators can help children avoid unnecessary struggles in school. This proactive approach allows children to thrive in their learning environments and eliminates the confusion of their vision problem being misdiagnosed as a learning disability.
Real Stories, Real Improvements
Our patients have experienced remarkable transformations through vision therapy. Here are some of their stories:
M. Ish: “The improvement in my child in such a short time frame is truly unbelievable. His glasses prescription has even decreased. See attached photos of before and after handwriting samples.”
C. Potts: “We have been going here for a couple of months now for vision therapy. My daughter usually takes time to warm up to adults and she is very selective about who she warms up to. I was wowed when I saw how quickly she warmed up to Dr. Andrich, Patti, and Carly. They are so patient and good with her. She can feel how much they truly care about her as a person, not just a patient. She goes every week and works with Carly and is eager to go (not typical for her to want to go to other therapies). She works hard and has fun. In fact, she is the one that said, ‘Mom, you have to give Carly 5 stars. She is the BEST!’ Highly recommended!”
K. Raymond: “My daughter has been doing vision therapy once a week for three months. Her reading and confidence have improved noticeably in her 3rd grade classroom. All the staff are friendly and kind. We could not be more pleased.”
L. Hales: “The staff here is very friendly and knowledgeable as well as great with kids. I came to them for a second opinion on what I was seeing with my 4-year-old. They were very willing to listen to my concerns and address them. During the exam, they were great at explaining what they were seeing and stopping for any questions I had as well as explaining their initial and long-term treatment plan. Therapy was recommended and we started right away. I love that there is an option for therapy and my daughter loves going! She is excited to do her therapy every day and loves it when she has mastered a task. My daughter’s initial condition has drastically improved, and she no longer makes the complaints she had that made me seek help. She is a much happier kid who has improved in her extracurricular activities. I highly recommend them for their flexibility with treatment, their amazingly patient staff, and their ability to craft a long-term treatment plan.”
Request A Functional Vision Exam in North Royalton
Starting vision therapy near you as early as possible can make a profound difference in your child’s academic success and overall well-being. The Vision Development Team is committed to identifying and addressing vision issues that may be hindering your child’s ability to learn and thrive.
