Dyslexia or a Vision Problem??

How do you know if my child has dyslexia or a vision problem?

Often, I am presented with this question.  The problem is, it’s not a question that can be answered fairly… by anyone.  Dyslexia OR a vision problem? It’s like asking which drawer to place an item into, because clearly, any single item can only be placed into one drawer.

Learning-related problems, including dyslexia and learning-related vision problems, are not single items.  They may not be mutually exclusive.  Learning problems are commonly associated with integrative skills, not with splinter skills.  Any true learning opportunity presents that “A ha!” moment:  We put together related things, figure something out for ourselves, or see the connection between component parts.

The visual process is a necessary component of reading.

One cannot read printed text with the eyes closed (excepting in Braille, but let’s leave that conversation for another day).

So, how do you know if my child has dyslexia OR a vision problem?

My colleague, Dr. Leonard Press, shared a very valuable blog, speaking specifically to this point: Either/Or, False Dichotomies.

This question belies an opinion that learning problems can be neatly classified, without spilling over and affecting other areas. Dr. Press’ blog piece addresses this question specifically with respect to the role of vision in learning.  He also presents a cutting edge textbook, Visual Aspects of Dyslexia, edited by John Stein and Zoi Kapoula.  This collaborative text explores visual contributions to dyslexia, presented with well-supported neuroscience from leading experts in multiple disciplines.

More recently, Dr. Press published Others Tooting Our Horn, in which he presents the book review of Visual Aspects of Dyslexia, as seen through the eyes of Nancy F. Knop, PhD, ET/P.  Dr. Knop includes a relevant case history, pointing out the challenge that children do not volunteer their symptoms, particularly when they are not aware that their experience is out of the ordinary.  They depend upon professionals (doctors, educators) to ask the right questions so that they can obtain the care they need.

Please visit these valuable resources, which point to integrated, multi-disciplinary approaches for learning-related vision problems.