August 13, 2024

What Causes a Child to Be a Slow Learner?

Some kids find school easy, while others struggle to keep up with their peers in school, both academically and socially. They may also have trouble following instructions and completing tasks. Moreover, ?slow learners? often have…
Posted by
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Girl doing school workSome kids find school easy, while others struggle to keep up with their peers in school, both academically and socially. They may also have trouble following instructions and completing tasks. Moreover, ?slow learners? often have low self-esteem and may avoid reading and participating in sports.

If your child appears to be struggling in school, it?s easy to assume that the problem is linked to ADHD or a learning disability. What many may not realize is that problems with the visual system often mimic ADHD and learning disabilities.

The only way to rule out or determine whether your child has a problem with their visual system is by scheduling a functional eye exam for a full visual assessment. If the eye doctor diagnoses any problems with your child’s visual skills, such as eye tracking or convergence insufficiency, Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria will recommend vision therapy to enhance any lagging visual skills and help your child reach their full academic potential.

The Impact of Poor Visual Skills on Your Child’s Education

Just about every school-based activity, from reading from a textbook or the classroom whiteboard to catching a ball during recess, requires good eyesight and other well-developed visual skills.

If your child?s eyes don?t work together as a team, reading and studying become a struggle. Poor visual skills can also lead to headaches and tired, sore eyes. Moreover, catching a ball becomes nearly impossible if your child?s eyes can?t track moving objects.

Unless visual skills deficits are addressed, a child can fall farther and farther behind at school. This, in turn, can affect self-confidence and success in life.

What Are the Most Important Visual Skills For School?

All visual skills play a role in ensuring that your child reaches their potential in school. Poor vision involves more than just visual acuity (the ability to see clearly).  A child with poor vision may also experience issues with:

  • Hand-eye coordination – the brain?s ability to process visual information and tell the body how to move
  • Eye tracking – following words on a page
  • Eye teaming – moving the eyes together in sync
  • Depth perception – being able to see in 3 dimensions
  • Peripheral vision – being able to see things at the edges of your visual field while looking straight ahead

Some common conditions that can be successfully treated with vision therapy include:

  • Double vision
  • Lazy eye (amblyopia)
  • Crossed eyes (strabismus)
  • Convergence insufficiency

So, How Can Vision Therapy Help?

Vision therapy is a type of treatment that uses customized eye exercises and activities to enhance visual skills.

Many people compare vision therapy to physical therapy, but for the visual system (the eyes and the parts of the brain that control vision).

Vision therapy aims to get the visual system to learn how to correct itself by improving communication between the eyes and the brain. At Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria we diagnose and enhance any lagging visual skills so your child can learn and read and enjoy school.

Our practice serves patients from Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions with Scott Irvine, O.D.

Q: How many sessions of vision therapy are needed before seeing results?

A: A vision therapy program can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Often, within the first few sessions, patients notice improvements in their vision skills.

Q: What can parents do to help a child struggling to read? 

A: If your child is struggling to read and is falling behind in school as a result, there are a few avenues you can explore to help:

  • Talk to your child about school and the problems they?re having
  • Look for signs of a vision problem, such as headaches and eye fatigue
  • Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your child?s eye doctor and follow through on their recommendations

Share
Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 4Z7
Phone
(250) 590-7384
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Thursday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Friday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
5.0
Out of 265 Reviews
Our Nanaimo Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
205-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1
Phone
(250) 591-0270
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Thursday:
    11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Friday:
    9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    Closed
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
4.9
Out of 59 Reviews

You Ask, We'll Answer

Educating you so you can make informed decisions

View More Resources
Want to ask a different question? Contact us here
  • What is Neuro-Optometry?

    Neuro-Optometry focuses on the intricate connection between your visual system and the brain, extending beyond traditional eye care to assess functional vision. This branch of optometry examines how your eyes track, move, coordinate, and how your brain processes depth, motion, and balance. Disruptions in these functions can lead to a range of issues including headaches, migraines, dizziness, balance challenges, post-concussion symptoms, reading difficulties, and attention deficits (ADHD). By exploring these functional areas, we also identify opportunities to enhance performance in activities such as sports, reading speed, and cognitive processes.

  • What is Vision Therapy?

    At Opto-Mization, vision therapy is a specialized, personalized program aimed at improving visual skills and abilities. It goes beyond traditional vision therapy to help improve how the eyes and brain work together, addressing visual-motor and perceptual-cognitive challenges to enhance overall visual function. It’s more than just exercises; it’s a pathway to better vision and improved daily life.

  • Do you Provide Regular Eye Exams and General Optometric Services?

    Yes, alongside vision therapy and neuro-optometry, we offer comprehensive eye exams and general optometry services. Our experienced optometrists perform thorough eye exams to evaluate overall eye health, identify any eye conditions or diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses when beneficial.

  • Who is the Ideal Candidate for Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometry?

    Vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help individuals of all ages. Whether you’re struggling with visual processing issues, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), or have sustained a brain injury, our services might be beneficial for you. Contact us to discuss if our tailored approach can meet your specific needs and goals.

  • Do I Need a Referral to See an Optometrist at Opto-Mization?

    No, you do not need a referral for an eye exam at Opto-Mization. We welcome anyone who suspects they might benefit from our services, whether you’re experiencing symptoms of visual discomfort or just want to ensure optimal visual performance. Feel free to reach out and schedule your appointment directly with us to take the first step toward understanding and improving your visual function.

  • Do You Direct Bill Insurance?

    Yes, we offer direct billing for a variety of insurance plans to make the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible for our patients. Our knowledgeable staff is well-versed in working with insurance providers, ensuring that you can maximize your benefits while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses for our services, including vision therapy and eye exams.