Eye exams are critical for keeping your child’s eyes healthy, but some kids might need extra help through vision therapy. You may have noticed your child having trouble with reading, coordination, or recurring headaches and wondered if vision therapy could be the solution. But how do you know if it’s the right choice for your kid? In this post, we’ll talk about what vision therapy is and look at some signs that your child could benefit from it.
Vision therapy explained
Vision therapy works like physical therapy but for your eyes and brain. It’s a customized program designed to improve the visual skills children need to read, learn, and do daily tasks. Vision therapy exercises help with issues like eye tracking, focusing, coordination, and visual processing.
It’s not just about seeing well, but how well the eyes work as a team and how the brain makes sense of what we see. If glasses or contact lenses aren’t addressing your child’s vision issues, vision therapy could be the answer.
Signs your child might need vision therapy
Children might not always express what they’re experiencing, or they might not even realize that what they’re experiencing is unusual. This means parents and caregivers need to be observant and aware of any changes in behavior or performance that could point to vision problems.
Sometimes, what seems like a learning difficulty or behavioral issue might be a vision-related issue. Take, for example, a kid who can’t pay attention in class. They may not be distracted but just unable to see the board or their books clearly. Similarly, a child who avoids reading might not dislike it but find it physically uncomfortable or tiring. Recognizing these subtle signs can help you address and support your child’s needs.
Below are a few clues to help you decide whether vision therapy is necessary:
- Reading difficulties: If your child struggles to keep their place while reading, frequently skips lines or words, or says the words seem to move on the page, it might be a sign they need vision therapy.
- Poor handwriting: Trouble with eye-hand coordination can lead to messy or inconsistent writing.
- Frequent headaches or eye strain: Complaints of headaches or tired eyes after reading or using a computer could be related to vision issues.
- Short attention span: Having trouble focusing on tasks or losing interest quickly might be linked to visual challenges.
- Avoidance of near work: If your child avoids reading, drawing, or homework, a vision problem may be to blame.
- Difficulty with sports: Struggling with depth perception or coordination can affect their performance in sports and physical activities.
Schedule an appointment with SIGHT
If you think that vision therapy might help your child, the first step is to schedule an appointment with our experts. Our team will work closely with you and your child to develop a vision therapy program that addresses specific challenges and enhances visual skills. From improving reading skills to boosting confidence in sports and social settings, we aim to help your child thrive in all areas of life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for vision therapy in Farmington.