WHAT TEACHERS & PARENTS SHOULD KNOW WHEN A CHILD STRUGGLES TO LEARN
Vision is More Than 20/20
Most people believe that adequate vision means simply having 20/20 acuity, or seeing clearly in the distance. Vision—how the brain and eyes work together– has a tremendous impact on the learning process for both children and adults.
Vision and Learning
Many children and adults do not realize that their struggles in the classroom and/or workplace are in no way linked to intelligence or how hard they are trying. Instead, they may not be able to visually process the information put before them.
Not knowing the cause of classroom, and later adult life skills problems, can have a detrimental affect on self‐esteem and behavior. Many children labeled as classroom problems can grow into troubled teens and eventually struggling adults if their visual problems are not diagnosed and treated. One out of four children and seven out of ten juvenile delinquents have a vision disorder that is interfering with their ability to achieve.
School Screenings
One out of four children enters school lacking the visual skills necessary to perform near point tasks such as reading, handwriting and spelling.
These children usually pass school screenings, which often determine only distance visual acuities.
These screenings do not test near vision skills or visual function including: tracking, focusing, eye teaming, or perceptual skills. Screenings may give both parents and teachers a false sense of security regarding a child’s visual readiness.
Get Started!
Call to schedule a Comprehensive Developmental Eye Exam at (906)228‐4401.
If you have specific concerns regarding academic performance, or have been diagnosed with a lazy eye (amblyopia) or turned eye (strabismus), please inform us so we can schedule your appointment accordingly.
Information needed:
- Pertinent medical information and records
- Completed initial evaluation packet and symptom checklist, both provided by Superior Eye Health Center. It is available on our website, or we can fax, email or mail it to you.
- Once the forms have been completed and returned to us, Dr. Johnson will review and determine what type of exam is needed. Our office will then contact you to set up an appointment.
Evaluation Process
After testing is completed, you will have a conference with Dr. Johnson to review the diagnosis and treatment plan.
When Vision therapy is recommended, it typically involves weekly in‐office therapy sessions supplemented by daily home activities.
The length of the therapy program is based on individual diagnosis and treatment goals. Progress examinations will be conducted periodically throughout the therapy program.
*Our Wednesday hours may vary. Please call our office for the most up to date information.