Vision has the biggest impact of all senses in the learning process. If your child is struggling in school, it may be their visual systems that are interfering, not their intelligence. Vision is more then 20/20 eyesight. It is a complex process involving over 20 visual abilities and 2/3 of all of the pathways to the brain. Nearly 80% of what a child perceives, comprehends and remembers depends on the efficiency of the visual system!

 

These symptoms may indicate that you or your child has a vision problem.

 

Physical clues:

·        Red, sore, or itching eyes

·        Jerky eye movements, one eye turning in or out

·        Squinting, eye rubbing, or excessive blinking

·        Blurred or double vision

·        Headaches, dizziness, or nausea after reading

·        Head tilting, closing or blocking one eye when reading

 

Performance clues:

·        Avoidance of near work

·        Frequent loss of place

·        Omits, inserts, or rereads letters/words

·        Confuses similar looking words

·        Failure to recognize the same word in the next sentence

·        Poor reading comprehension

·        Letter or word reversals after first grade

·        Difficulty coping from the chalkboard

·        Poor handwriting, misaligns numbers

·        Bok held too close to the eyes

·        Inconsistent or poor sports performance

 

Secondary Symptoms:

·        Smart in everything but school

·        Low self-esteem, poor self image

·        Temper flare-ups, aggressiveness

·        Frequent crying

·        Short attention span

·        Fatigue, frustration, stress

·        Irritability

·        Day dreaming

 

Labeled:

·        Lazy

·        Dyslexic

·        Attention Deficit Disorder

·        Slow Learner

·        Behavioral problem

·        Juvenile delinquent

·        Working below potential

 

If you have answered yes to any of these symptoms, we may be able to help you or your loved one find some unanswered questions. It is very likely that the visual system has a component in the troubles. Dr. Draisin and I are the only board certified optometrist through COVD in children’s vision, vision therapy, and traumatic brain injury in the Charleston area. Call the office today to schedule a developmental workup to determine if the visual system is creating problems in you or your child’s life.  Let us help your child not only succeed in school, but in life!

 

For more information check out: covd.org

 

 

Posted in Jennifer Zolman

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