Learning Difficulties

For a number of years it has been recognised that there is a link between learning problems (including dyslexia), coordination problems (including dyspraxia), other behavioural problems (including ADD and autistic spectrum) and vision. This link is with vison in it's widest sense as opposed to just visual acuity or sight.

Behavioural optometry has developed ways of assessing the visual issues that relate to learning disorders and ways of treating these anomalies.

Vision is our dominant sense and accounts for over 80% of the sensory information we gain from our environment.

It follows that if there are problems with our visual processing it will affect all aspects of our lives including reading.

Dyslexia
Dyslexia affects 4% of the population. Problems can show themselves in reading, writing, number work, short-term memory, hand control and visual processing. Timekeeping, sense of direction and interpersonal skills can also be affected.

These difficulties often result in great frustration, bearing in mind that people suffering from dyslexia are often of high or above average intelligence.

Dyslexia affects more males than females. Many children are extremely bright in lots of ways, always talking and asking questions and yet they do not seem to reach their full potential in the academic field.

One of the best definitions of dyslexia, is by Dr J E Collis.

“Dyslexia means having difficulty with words in reading, spelling and writing - in spite of having normal intelligence and ability”. Dr J E Collis, 1992

Other conditions such as Autism, Dyspraxia and ADHD have visual links.

Click here to view how vision is linked to Dyslexia, Autism and ADHD