In Third Grade my son’s teacher thought that since he “always omitted words when writing” that he was “overly impulsive” and should be part of a “psychological child study”. The third grade teacher really worked on us to get our son studied by the school child psychologists. Over and Over again. Embarrassed us in the hallways. In fromnt of other parents… It was pure coercion. Finally we gave in and hired an independent psychologist. The Third Grade Teacher rejected excellent findings made by an independent out-of-state psychologist we hired. It turns out she was VERY UNINFORMED about vision problems.
One day, I went to www.google.com and typed in the words “omits words” and “vision problem”. (my eyesight became poor in third grade, so I worried that maybe my son was also nearsighted) Up popped “Symptoms of a Vision Problem.” at the www.pavevision.org website. My son fit every symptom of a person with a Vision Problem. I started to cry, since I thought finally I had found an answer. I found a qualified developmental optometrist and set up an appointment during school two days later. After 40 minutes of testing my son, the doctor diagnosed him with two vision problems. We handed the diagnosis to the third grade teacher. So much for her “over impulsivity” observations! My son had eyes that did not work in unison when tracking a moving object. This caused frustration, headaches, temper flare ups, short attention spans, occasional crying jags, lack of eye contact, reading avoidance, writing hatred, and many other things.
My son spent last summer visiting the developmental optometrist twice a week. He also eagerly completed 20-30 minutes of daily home therapy.
By the second marking period of fourth grade, my son got straight A’s. He decided to try soccer again and loved it this time. He tried a musical instrument and discovered he had exceptional talent!
Vision Therapy changed our lives. It could change yours!
Any child who struggles with reading and /or writing ought to have a comprehensive vision exam.
Two weeks ago a parent asked my child what he wanted to be when he grew up. “A writer”, he eagerly replied. Tears.
As a post script, please note that the teacher’s observation about my son’s “behaviors” causing “impairment” was simply not based on reality. Even prior to Vision Therapy, he scored as high or higher than ninety three per cent of all Pennsylvania students on the Reading section of the PSSA standardized tests given while in third grade. Ironically, the month he took the standardized tests was the same month that the teacher and principal pushed us the hardest to say that his behaviors were causing impairment.
My advice: Do not jump to any conclusions about psychological problems. Screen your children for medical problems before any psychological studies are scheduled. Start with a comprehensive vision exam.
Re: Writing Problems solved with Vision Therapy
You should include an evaluation by a developmental optometrist in your testing plan, if your child shows symptoms like those listed at the pave site, but it should be neither your first nor your only evaluation. Developmental vision problems may look like LD but they also commonly accompany true LD, ADHD or other problems such as autism. You’ve got to treat ALL of the problems. Don’t expect one kind of treatment to cure what may be multiple problems. We are in the midst of vision therapy and I hope it will be a useful adjunct to the other approaches we have tried and are trying but I don’t think it is realistic to expect it to be the miracle cure described in the above post.
Re: Writing Problems solved with Vision Therapy
Vision therapy is very effective for certain kinds of visual efficiency problems — such as slow focusing speed, poor convergence, etc. However, I am dubious about bifocals for a 7yo. Personally, I would seek out another developmental optometrist for a second opinion before pursuing vision therapy. Just as with medical doctors, some optometrists are better doctors than others.
Also, it’s important to know that vision therapy does not have to be done completely in-office. In fact, this is the most expensive way to do it. Many developmental optometrists will design a primarily home-based program of vision therapy to keep costs down. Before making an appointment for evaluation, it’s a good idea to ask if the optometrist is willing to do this.
Yet another option for vision therapy is computer software. This is a very inexpensive way to do vision therapy (usually under $300 for pre-testing, the software, and post-testing). However, it is effective only for certain common types of vision problems. Website that lists optometrists who can prescribe this software is http://www.homevisiontherapy.com
Nancy
Re: Writing Problems solved with Vision Therapy
Nancy
Thanks for the advice as well as the web site. I will check it out, sounds interesting.
We just got back from the Educational Psychologist and I questioned her about the therapy, she really believes he needs it. He sees double at times and his eyes are not functioning together, she believes this has caused him much stress and frustration. ( no kidding) He has language processing problems as well.
I am making an appointment with a Pediatric Opthamologist , see what he says. Then I think before I commit to anything I’ll get a second opinion from another Developmental Optomotrist. We also have an appointment with a Developmental Behavioral Neurologist in August. (If our bank account holds up!!)
Thanks again!
Re: Writing Problems solved with Vision Therapy
My son has had success with vision therapy. I can see that his eyes move better together and that he tracks better when reading. he also doesn’t get carsick as easily. But VT isn’t a panacea if your child has real LD or attentional problems. Alot of our children have real neurologically based issues and this is just one therapy that can address some issues.
Hi
We just saw a Educational Optomotrist for our 7 year old son. He states he needs vision therapy and has put him in bifocals.
Could you please share with me exactly what kind of vision problems your son had? You said you spent the summer in vision therapy. How long was he treated? When did you notice a difference?
We have been told by quite a few professionals, not to waste the money.
Thanks!
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