By: Dr. Amber Teten – Pediatric Eye Doctor and Vision Therapy Specialist

As a pediatric eye doctor specializing in Vision Therapy, Dr. Teten has seen firsthand how this innovative approach can help children with visual processing disorders, such as dyslexia. Visual processing disorders affect a child’s ability to interpret and understand visual information, making it difficult for them to learn and thrive in school and other settings. Dr. Teten will discuss what visual processing disorders are and how they can impact a child’s life. We will also explore the benefits of Vision Therapy as a treatment option for children with visual processing disorders, discussing the various types of visual processing disorders, how Vision Therapy can help, and how to determine whether Vision Therapy is right for your child. By the end of this post, you will better understand visual processing disorders and how Vision Therapy can help children overcome these challenges and achieve their full potential.

What are Visual Processing Disorders?

Visual processing disorders (VPDs) are a group of conditions that affect a child’s ability to interpret and make sense of visual information. These disorders are not related to eye problems but to how the brain processes visual information. Children with VPDs may struggle with reading, writing, and math tasks. They may struggle with spatial awareness, depth perception, and visual memory.

There are several different types of VPDs, including:

• Visual-motor processing disorder: Difficulty coordinating visual input with motor output, leading to problems with handwriting, drawing, and other delicate motor tasks.
• Visual-spatial processing disorder: Difficulties with spatial awareness, such as understanding the position of objects in relation to one another or being able to read maps and charts.
• Visual-form processing disorder: Difficulty recognizing shapes and forms, making distinguishing between letters and words challenging.
• Visual-auditory processing disorder: Difficulty with tasks that require integrating visual and auditory information, such as following directions or learning new vocabulary words.

How do Visual Processing Disorders Impact a Child’s Life?

Children with VPDs may struggle in many areas, including academic performance, social interactions, and self-esteem. Because VPDs can impact a child’s ability to read, write, and do the math, they may fall behind in school and struggle to keep up with their peers. This can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Children with VPDs may also struggle with social interactions. They may feel left out or misunderstood by their peers and have difficulty participating in group activities or sports. This can further erode their self-esteem and sense of belonging.

How can Vision Therapy Help Children with VPDs?

Vision Therapy is a specialized program designed to help children with visual processing disorders. The program is customized to the child’s needs based on their specific VPD and unique learning style. Vision Therapy involves a series of exercises and activities designed to help the child develop and improve their visual processing skills. These exercises focus on improving eye movements, visual tracking, and visual perception, among other skills. Through Vision Therapy, children can learn to process visual information more efficiently and accurately, making it easier to understand and perform everyday tasks.

One of the key benefits of Vision Therapy is that it is a non-invasive, drug-free approach to treating VPDs. Unlike medication or surgery, Vision Therapy has no side effects. It does not require the child to be put under anesthesia. Instead, Vision Therapy is a safe and effective way to help children overcome VPDs and improve their overall quality of life.

Another benefit of Vision Therapy is that it is a holistic approach to treating VPDs. The program focuses on improving the child’s visual processing skills and building their confidence and self-esteem. By helping children improve their ability to process visual information, they are better able to succeed in school, sports, and other activities, which can help boost their self-esteem and overall sense of well-being.

Is Vision Therapy Right for Your Child?

Vision Therapy may be an effective treatment option if your child is struggling with visual processing. To determine whether Vision Therapy is right for your child, it is important to consult with Dr. Teten at Navigation Eye Care, who specializes in this area. During an initial evaluation, the doctor will assess your child’s visual processing skills and determine whether Vision Therapy may be appropriate.

If Vision Therapy is recommended by Dr. Teten, the team at Navigation Eye Care will work with you and your child to develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs. This may involve weekly sessions at the Navigation Eye Care office and practice exercises to be completed at home.

Vision Therapy is a highly effective and safe treatment option for children with visual processing disorders (VPDs), such as dyslexia. Through a customized program of exercises and activities, children can learn to improve their visual processing skills and overcome the challenges of VPDs. Vision Therapy is a holistic approach to treatment, focusing on improving the child’s visual processing and building their self-esteem and confidence. As a pediatric eye doctor specializing in Vision Therapy, Dr. Teten has seen the tremendous impact that Vision Therapy has had on children’s life. Children can achieve their full potential in school, sports, and other activities by improving their ability to process visual information.

If you have a child that has a visual processing disorder, your child may benefit from vision therapy. Have your child evaluated by a qualified pediatric eye doctor specializing in vision therapy to determine how your child could benefit from vision therapy. Dr. Teten encourages parents to bring their children in for regular eye and developmental vision exams to ensure their eyes are healthy and their vision is properly developing. Call the Navigation Eye Care team at 757-529-6889 or schedule an appointment online. We are fully equipped and prepared to care for you and your family.