Learning is a complex, multifaceted process. When your child is having challenges in school, it can be difficult to pinpoint why. Trouble with visual processing is a major factor easily missed by both families and professionals because it is not well understood. At the root, it is due to an over-reactive visual system stemming from light sensitivity. The problem lies in how the brain processes visual information, not in the ability for the eyes to function appropriately; in short, it’s a brain problem, not a vision problem, though some people will have both visual acuity and processing deficits. Your child might have a visual processing problem if they:
- Experience light sensitivity
- Complain of eye strain, fatigue, or irritation
- Experience headaches or migraines
- Struggle with depth perception
- Are slow, or inefficient readers
- Have reading comprehension issues
- Experience distortions looking at print or their environment
If you suspect your child has a problem with visual processing, first schedule visits to the pediatrician and optometrist to rule out a medical cause. Work with your child’s teacher to make accommodations to the classroom environment, like adjusted seating position, lighting, or materials. Printing on colored pages, increasing font size, limiting use of bright colors, and reducing high contrast materials are examples. Some school districts are able to assess for visual processing problems during the psychoeducational process, but if yours is not, you can seek independent assessment from a certified Irlen screener.