VISION & LEARNING MONTH
August is Vision and Learning Month. However, at our office every month is a vision and learning month as one of Dr. Henshaw's specialties within vision therapy is visually related learning problems.
COVD Joins with Author, Educator, & Expert in Early Learning Success, Dr. Bob Sornson in Saying "It's Time to Stop Arguing and Help Our Children!!"
Aurora, OH Most parents find out their children have vision problems after trying a variety of interventions and searching for help for years. In many cases parents have already spent thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars trying to help their children with learning by the time they find out that a vision problem is contributing to their difficulties.
"It is our goal to help parents understand that vision problems can interfere with academic success, and they are typically very treatable," shares Dr. David Damari, President of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, "The most important step is identification."
"Vision problems are noticeable in the early years of school. It's much better to be able to notice and treat them in first and second grade. The longer you wait, the more difficult it's going to be to deal with the other factors that have developed," shares Bob Sornson, PhD and author of Fanatically Formative (Corwin Press), Creating Classrooms Where Teachers Love to Teach and Students Love to Learn (Love and Logic Press), and the Essential Skill Inventories, K3 (Early Learning Foundation).
"When you take a child who has really struggled to read because of visual issues, the longer that goes on you're no longer dealing with just a vision issue now you have an attitude problem, a behavior problem, and avoidance issues," states Sornson.
Sornson's implementation of programs and strategies for early learning success, the Early Learning Success Initiative, serves as a model for school districts around the country. The Early Learning Success model emphasizes formative and systematic assessment of all essential aspects of early learning development, support for students and teachers, and the importance of building positive classroom culture.
More than 20 years ago Sornson looked very carefully into the research on optometric vision therapy, "to understand what that process was and what was possible. The evidence was just too powerful and overwhelming. The importance of sensory motor development is not new. It's been recognized for thousands of years as an important part of learning and development, and it's supported by everything we know about brain science in the last few decades. Vision is one important piece of this whole sensory motor, sensory neural sequence that we need to pay attention to."
While nay-sayers keep demanding more research, Sornson responds, "We're long past arguing about this. It's the responsibility of every educator to understand that sensory motor and vision development impact young learners."
The results of the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Reading Test show that by 4th grade, 67% of school-age children in the U.S. are not reading at proficient levels. Sornson explains, "Vision is one of the crucial early learning issues. It's not the only issue but it's one of the issues.
The results of the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Reading Test show that by 4th grade, 67% of school-age children in the U.S. are not reading at proficient levels. Sornson explains, "Vision is one of the crucial early learning issues. It's not the only issue but it's one of the issues.
Just the cost savings which come from dealing with vision issues as a part of the early learning process should be enough reason for schools to learn more about this. By the beginning of fourth grade in the U.S., two-thirds of our students are non-proficient readers and are predictably unlikely to become successful lifelong learners. This is an unnecessary tragedy for our nation and for most of these children."
"There is a long standing body of evidence that shows certain sensory and visual systems have to be well developed before children are going to be truly effective learners," continues Sornson, "There's a strong body of evidence that shows that vision therapy is successful at treating vision problems that interfere with reading and academic success, and it's time to quit arguing about what is now scientifically obvious and help these children."
Why do vision problems typically go undetected for so long? "Most eye care practitioners, school nurses and pediatricians use visual acuity (how clearly one can see letters on the eye chart from a distance of 20 feet) as the benchmark for good vision." Damari explains, "When in fact seeing clearly is just one of more than 17 visual skills required for academic success."
If your child struggles with reading, has attention problems, takes longer than it should to get homework done or has difficulty comprehending what was read, a vision problem may be contributing to his or her difficulties.
Vision Problems Can Interfere with Learning but are Readily Treatable with Vision Therapy
August was declared Vision & Learning Month in 1995 with a presidential proclamation from President Bill Clinton. The goal of this national observance is to help educate parents and educators about the critical link between vision and learning. Since then, cities and states have continued to generate awareness by making yearly proclamations.
2018 August Campaign this August marks the 23d year of National Children’s Vision & Learning Month. The purpose is to help parents and educators understand that un-diagnosed vision problems can block learning and lead to years of unnecessary struggling.
2018 August Campaign this August marks the 23d year of National Children’s Vision & Learning Month. The purpose is to help parents and educators understand that un-diagnosed vision problems can block learning and lead to years of unnecessary struggling.
Lodi 2019 Proclamation
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. 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.
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. 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.
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.
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Dr. John Murry Adams is an FCOVD member like myself who practices in Owensboro, KY and also has the distinction of competing in the Ninja Warrior TV show!
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