Vision and Learning Month 2023
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Now that Lodi City opened the Council Meetings in person from two years of the controversial lockdown, Dr. Henshaw returned to the City Hall to receive the 2023 Vision & Learning proclamation from Mayor Mikey Hothi.
Dr. Henshaw mentioned Vision & Learning Month came about as school vision screenings, despite good intentions, do not detect a child with a vision condition hindering learning. At best, the screenings only detect about 3% of the vision system. |
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He mentioned the Dartmouth study in the 40's that found the best students had the worst visual acuities, the only thing tested in school screening. That was the beginning of developmental optometry where doctors wanted an answer to what we believed, now was demonstrated to be false. Answers came quickly and many kids were helped. The biggest change was in 1988 when vision processing skills were found to be the major factor in learning.
Other doctors were content to keep the referrals coming so they could sell more glasses. In 1937 during the Dartmouth study era, CA proposed its first school screening law codified in 1947 and modified in 2005. Yet it is essentially the same as the original. |
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He then pointed out that the CA law has ignored the section that requires teachers to observe the students for possible vision symptoms and behaviors. He then through a PowerPoint edited by the city showed varying activities of students that would be very easy for the teacher to observe. |
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Unfortunately, the city did not coordinate with Dr. Henshaw and he had to jump around as the pictures appeared haphazardly! |
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Vision and Learning Month 2019
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Mayor mark chandler proclaimed august to be children’s vision and learning month in the city of lodi during the August 7 city council meeting.
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Dr. Bill Henshaw, a Lodi optometrist who treats visually related learning problems, was presented the proclamation. This is the 24th year of The National Children’s Vision and Learning Month originating with Dr. Henshaw’s speciality group The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). COVD is a certification, educational, and advocacy organization of optometrists who specialize in vision therapy. Dr. Henshaw is a charter member.
Then President Bill Clinton was the first signer of the proclamation in 1995. Since then numerous States and cities have signed the proclamation. It is even international today. The purpose is to make the public aware that vision is an essential part of learning. It is timed in August to coordinate with the beginning of the school year.
Then President Bill Clinton was the first signer of the proclamation in 1995. Since then numerous States and cities have signed the proclamation. It is even international today. The purpose is to make the public aware that vision is an essential part of learning. It is timed in August to coordinate with the beginning of the school year.
Dr. Henshaw thanked the council for a step in assuring kid’s vision care will not be ignored in their return to school. He discussed the limit of school vision screening and a simple answer of teacher observation that is currently in CA law. He emphasized a growing concern of Lodi and much of the Nation’s school districts using chrome books that hurt children’s eyes and interfere with learning.
Although the emphasis of vision and learning in August when Lodi kids start school is a great idea, in Dr. Henshaw’s office every month is vision and learning month. Simply call the office for an appointment at 334-2020.
Although the emphasis of vision and learning in August when Lodi kids start school is a great idea, in Dr. Henshaw’s office every month is vision and learning month. Simply call the office for an appointment at 334-2020.