Visual Processing
Visual Processing Problems
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An individual may have 20/20 vision and still have visual processing problems. Standard eye tests used for screening vision at school only test the student's ability to clearly see individual letters at a specific distance (20 feet). Students are not tested for other aspects of vision that are critical for reading. In reading, the two eyes must work together effectively while moving across a page of text. Limitations in this set of visual skills will impair the student's ability to understand and utilize the written information received through the eyes. Visual processing problems can also have a negative impact on depth perception and interfere with sports and other physical activities. It has been estimated that as many as 60% of children with learning problems are impacted by visual processing problems that interfere with their ability to learn, read, or study efficiently. Individuals with visual processing problems may be viewed as underachievers or as having behavior, attitude, or motivational problems.
Symptoms
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Common symptoms of visual processing problems include:
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Sensitivity to bright lights
Headaches or fatigue when reading
Short reading time
Poor depth perception
Slow reading and reading errors
Poor comprehension and retention
Hesitant and choppy reading
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Rereads lines
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Skips words or lines while reading
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Loses place while reading
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Easily distracted - needs breaks while reading
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Easily tired while reading
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Uses finger or marker to read
Behavioral optometrist Dr. Cameron C. McCrodan explains vision abnormalities that are a common cause of learning problems.
Screening & Referral Services
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At Abba’s Child Learning Center, we provide screening and referral services for visual processing problems. Some of our students have benefited from treatment methods that utilize colored overlays or tinted lenses, while other students have benefited from visual training therapy with a behavioral optometrist. Benefits from the effective treatment of visual processing problems may include the elimination of headaches and fatigue from reading, along with improvement in academics, coordination, and self-confidence.
