Could vision therapy help your child’s learning at school?
The school year is almost half over, and kids have settled back into their school routine after two years of disruptions.
But that can leave some unanswered questions: if your child is having trouble learning how to read, skipping words or generally just losing concentration at school, is that because of the interruptions of the past two years or could it be an undiagnosed vision problem?
There are many factors when it comes to learning, but vision is an important one.
To read and write fluently, the eye movements, eye focussing and eye-hand coordination all have to be working smoothly and in conjunction.
Gemma Cowan from Beaconsfield Eyecare is a member of the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists and loves working with kids of all ages.
She prefers to do a thorough eye examination, including tests of eye movements and focusing, but she might also do visual processing tests or spatial awareness checks along with other tests specific to learning.
“Most parents think that if their child can read the eye chart well, their vision is fine,” Gemma said.
“However, there are many more complex aspects of the visual system that can contribute to the child’s ability to learn at school.”
If an eye condition is diagnosed it doesn’t always mean glasses are required.
“Glasses and contact lenses are certainly an important aspect of treating vision in children,” Gemma said.
“But there are other very effective treatment plans that may include vision therapy.”
Vision therapy is a series of specific exercises performed by Gemma in the clinic, with additional exercises for the child to do at home (typically 15 minutes a day for a few months).
If your child is having trouble concentrating at school, reversing letters or skipping words when
reading, then Gemma recommends having an initial eye test to see if vision therapy might be
beneficial.
For more information, visit Gemma at Beaconsfield Eyecare, 45 Wallace Street Beaconsfield, call 8726 9977 or visit www.beaconsfieldeyecare.com.au.
