Because we just moved I have to transfer ds’s VT to a new practice. The new doctor started an evaluation (after reading all the notes from the old doctor) and right away I could see a big difference. The new one had him stand on one leg, lay on the floor and move his limbs and bounce a basketball. The doctor zeroed right in on the motor planning issues/ bilateral integration issues. He asked me if ds had ever done OT, and said he believes his VT can address many of those residual issues. I’m psyched! Its not that the work we were doing on tracking, accomodation etc didn’t have an effect, but I feel like this will take it even closer to the root of many of ds’s issues.
Re: New VT doctor, interesting perspective...
My daughter received 2-1/2 years of OT and the motor planning and visual processing changes were tremendous. Others have had similar success with other programs.
We did OT and are now doing vision therapy.
Karen,
I do think it is good to have someone who addresses all the issues. Some vision therapist choose not to address issues that are routinely handled by occupational therapists. I think you need have someone take a big picture view and go after all the issues.
My son has done really well with this approach. I am seeing the changes in sports, I hope it follows through to school.
We have been working on peripheral vision and I think that really helps with a few things.
My nephew is visiting and I tested him with all the VT exercises. He finds them extremely easy. He has no issues in school.
VT homework
Linda,
Just wondering how much VT homework the optometrist assigns? Is it to be done daily? How many different exercises typically and how long should they take?
My son has gone to 2 different Dev. Optometrists. The first was pretty much a waste of time and we went an entire year. He pretty much sat at the HTS computer program (Ithink that was the acronym). The second was a sensory program, but he was given 1 exercise to do daily initially and then nothing after the first 6 or 7 weeks. The exercises were developmental milestone like things…for example, the first was creeping on the floor, the second was rolling over like an infant being sure your eyes went first.
Just wondering. Your guy seems great. We stopped VT to do IM and haven’t done anything since (other than the audiblox at home).
Lori
VT
We do homework every day except the days he has therapy. I can’t say that we get to it every single day, every week, we occasionally miss but I try not to miss more than once a week.
I do take this very seriously.
The doctor told us going in that we will get out of it what we put in. I know that it does take intensity to change the brain.
I am so sorry to hear of your negative experience. I do think you have to do vestibular/body work as well as the visual exercises to see results.
Our doctor gave us a book that we have been using. I think this book has made a difference because I notice an improvement in certain areas once he masters certain exercises from this book. This book is not all we do but I do think it is very important. After my 4 year old mastered some of the exercises he went to the pool and just started to swim. Before this he just held on to me and was pretty fearful of the water. It was pretty interesting. The exercises were easier for him to master because he does not have visual deficits. I think this book would be a good program to do with interactive metronome for a child that has a visual motor problem.
It is called, Integrating Mind Brain and Body through movement by Etta Rowley. Call 425 483-8000 to buy a copy. Etta Rowley is a vision therapist in private practice. I don’t think this book is available on amazon. You do have to perform the exercises until there is complete mastery. It has taken us 2 months to get through 4 chapters. Some of the exercises have my son in tears. Just to let you know it isn’t easy but that makes me realize how much he truely needs them.
The first part of the book has exercises to get the left, right upper and lower parts of the body working together. The last chapter addresses more specific visual issues like fixations, rotations and visualization.
Re: New VT doctor, interesting perspective...
Linda,
What I liked about the new doctor right away was how he zoomed in on the motor issues. He had him lie on the floor and try to move left leg/right arm, which I know is similar to the exercises you’ve been doing at home.
Unfortunately we couldn’t complete the evaluation today b/c my son fell off our new swingset and broke his arm! However, now he has to do everything with his left hand (he’s right handed) and I figure that has to be a good neurological exercise!
Swingset
Oh gosh, I remember when you were debating whether to buy that swingset. Poor guy, what a welcome to the burbs.
It sounds like this optometrist does look at all the issues. Originally when they tested my son for all those motor issues he did pretty well. It was only later that they recognized the issues.
He is like that.
.nt