Vision processing skills- the new kid on the block that is still ignored by most eye doctors and essential to learning:
You can divide vision conditions into two categories: One is gathering skills while the other is processing skills. The gathering is bringing information into the brain. Processing is what the brain does with the information to make it useful. Both gathering and processing skills have an impact on learning. Yet, the processing skills, not emphasized until 1988 with the work of Dr.Ken Gibson, have a vastly larger impact on learning. Most are familiar with gathering skills like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. There is also eyestrain, strabismus, tracking skills, and accommodation (near vision clear focus). Contrary to popular belief, including some eye doctors, gathering skills has a minimum effect on school grades. Nearsightedness has the opposite effect. Those with low visual acuities from nearsightedness (traditionally thought to reduce grades because they can't see the whiteboard)perform better in school!
You can divide vision conditions into two categories: One is gathering skills while the other is processing skills. The gathering is bringing information into the brain. Processing is what the brain does with the information to make it useful. Both gathering and processing skills have an impact on learning. Yet, the processing skills, not emphasized until 1988 with the work of Dr.Ken Gibson, have a vastly larger impact on learning. Most are familiar with gathering skills like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. There is also eyestrain, strabismus, tracking skills, and accommodation (near vision clear focus). Contrary to popular belief, including some eye doctors, gathering skills has a minimum effect on school grades. Nearsightedness has the opposite effect. Those with low visual acuities from nearsightedness (traditionally thought to reduce grades because they can't see the whiteboard)perform better in school!
Gathering skills may reduce grades by only one level, say from an A to a B. Meanwhile, processing skills can mean a drop from an A to an F.
The vision processing skills include,
1. Visualization (The ability to picture objects or concepts without them being present. This is virtually comprehension. It is the most important vision processing skill.)
2. Sustained concentration (The ability to maintain a visual task without distractions. This is the second most important vision processing skill.)
3. Visual memory (The ability to store and retrieve visual information.)
4. Logic and Reasoning (Ability to think and draw conclusions)
5. Visual Closure (The ability to quickly determine information from minimal but familiar clues)
6. Speed of processing (How fast you conjure up images)
7. Visual Discrimination (The ability to determine if two shapes, colors, sizes, positions, or distances are the same or different.)
8. Reversal frequency (Confusing letters ( b,d,q,p) or spatial directions or simple instructions)
9. Visual-motor integration. (The ability to combine visual input with other sensory or past inputs.)
10. Motor speed and precision (ability to match identical numbers or symbols quickly.)
The vision processing skills include,
1. Visualization (The ability to picture objects or concepts without them being present. This is virtually comprehension. It is the most important vision processing skill.)
2. Sustained concentration (The ability to maintain a visual task without distractions. This is the second most important vision processing skill.)
3. Visual memory (The ability to store and retrieve visual information.)
4. Logic and Reasoning (Ability to think and draw conclusions)
5. Visual Closure (The ability to quickly determine information from minimal but familiar clues)
6. Speed of processing (How fast you conjure up images)
7. Visual Discrimination (The ability to determine if two shapes, colors, sizes, positions, or distances are the same or different.)
8. Reversal frequency (Confusing letters ( b,d,q,p) or spatial directions or simple instructions)
9. Visual-motor integration. (The ability to combine visual input with other sensory or past inputs.)
10. Motor speed and precision (ability to match identical numbers or symbols quickly.)
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Vision processing skills are almost always confused with and thought to be ADD. There are a host of other names that may be added to the confusion such as ADHD, hyperactivity, Oppositional Defiant Behavior, learning disorder, Dyscalculia, and Asperger syndrome. |
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The main testing for ADD is patient symptoms, and those symptoms are identical to vision processing difficulty symptoms. There is testing for vision processing skills. Not so much for ADD. That means ADD in reality is diagnosed by a parent, school teacher, or school counselor who provides the symptoms for the prescribing doctor.
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What is that treatment? It is psychotropic medications including Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall, Strattera, Vyvanse, and even the dangerous Haldol. Obviously, many side effects exist, and results are questionable. No study has found any long-term benefit of attention-deficit medication on academic performance, peer relationships or behavior problems.
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We, based on not only the symptoms but on scientific tests, have a drug-free therapy to treat vision processing difficulty. Through research and cooperation with the fields of optometry, education, and psychology Dr. Ken Gibson created our VIP treatment. A peek in our testimonies section includes many who benefited from our VIP Program. Even adults can be helped. You simply do not grow out of a vision processing difficulty. It must be treated.
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The good news for those of you suffering from vision processing difficulty is that it has nothing to do with intelligence. Famous intellects who had vision-processing difficulties include Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Nelson Rockefeller.
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We have a separate section on Vision Processing that will give more extensive information.
Meanwhile, you can enjoy the video below that gives a practical view of vision processing skills. |
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The Mailman Problem: This video describes vision processing problems. Vision processing problems make up most visually related learning problems. Although binocular vision and eye tracking are important skills to vision and learning, vision processing problems are far more related to learning. A binocular vision problem could make the difference between a "B" and a "C", while a vision processing problem makes a difference between an "A" and a "F"!