Up to 80% of struggling readers are lacking visual skills. If the eyes can’t track accurately through the text, reading becomes difficult. These problems can mimic other learning disabilities.
Messy writing with bad spacing? Vision problems can cause writing to be messy with unequal spacing, reversed letters, or slow output. It is also a leading cause of trouble copying off the board.
If the eyes don’t work well together, it takes more energy to try to stay focused. It’s like trying to ride a bike with flat tires. These vision problems cause 7 of the 9 symptoms of attention deficit disorder.
‘Fonetik‘ spelling? If a child doesn’t have good visual memory abilities, spelling will often be phonetic or random. Less than 50% of the English language is phonetic so visual memory skills are a must.
Vision Skills That Are Necessary For Reading
80% of struggling readers are lacking one or more visual skills
Vision Problems Can Look Like:
Dyslexia
Attention Deficit Disorder
Learning Disabilities
Developmental Coordination Disorder
7 of the 9 symptoms of attention deficit disorder can be caused by a vision problem
If you were trying to ride a bike with flat tires, wouldn’t you have trouble to keep riding? If a child’s eyes don’t work efficiently and it requires a lot more energy to try to read or stay focused, they will give up sooner or avoid doing it.
Studies have shown that treating these vision problems (if present) reduces the attention deficit disorder symptoms.
‘In an open trial, attention and internalizing problems improved significantly following treatment for CI (Convergence Insufficiency).’
Behavioral and Emotional Problems Associated With Convergence Insufficiency in Children: An Open Trial.
Borsting E1, Mitchell GL2, Arnold LE2, Scheiman M3, Chase C4, Kulp M2, Cotter S5; CITT-RS Group.
J Atten Disord. 2016 Oct;20(10):836-44. doi: 10.1177/1087054713511528. Epub 2013 Nov 22
Writing Requires Fine Visual-Motor Skills
The fine motor coordination required for writing needs finely tuned visual coordinates. If your child is struggling with writing, they could have undiagnosed vision problems.
Signs of a vision causing problems with writing:
- reversed letters
- unequal spacing
- difficulty copying off the board
- reduced writing output
- poor spelling
This boy's writing changed dramatically after vision therapy. His hockey improved, his reading soared, and most importantly he believed he was smart.
This 8-year-old boy's writing changed dramatically with treatment.
Phonetic tactics get fonetik results.
Did you notice the spelling error?
Your life. Visible results.
James and Lisa Locke's journey with their son Mitchell's vision challenges reads like a suspenseful tale of parental intuition, medical dead ends, and ultimately, a groundbreaking therapy that turned their fears into a story of hope and success.
Did you know that there are 17 visual skills that can be tested by developmental optometrists? Learn more about how they can help your child.
Children with ADHD commonly have visual problems, such as convergence insufficiency, tracking difficulties, and others. Fortunately, vision therapy is an effective treatment for these and other lagging visual skills. Read on to learn more!