When we hear the word visual we automatically think about eyesight. We forget that it is the brain that carries out the visual process and interpretations.

When someone has a visual processing disorder they have a problem with interpreting visual information such as symbols, pictures, distances etc., not their eyesight.

People with a visual processing disorder may find they have difficulties with:

1. reading,
2. telling time,
3. distinguishing between two objects that look similar
4. or have hand eye coordination difficulties.

It should be noted that visual processing disorders are not considered a learning disability. But they are very similar in nature and may be confused with learning disabilities. In particularly disabilities such as: dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, or ADD/ADHD. It is also very common for people with these disabilities to have a visual processing disorder.

Causes Of VPD

At this time it is unclear how many people have a visual processing disorder, nor do we know the exact cause. All we do know is that the issue occurs when the brain fails to accurately receive and process visual information. Some research has suggested that preterm or low birth weight may have some impact. Or that a mild brain trauma could lead to this disorder.

No matter the cause we have to become aware that this disorder not only affects a child’s learning ability but also:

1. affects their mental health
2. their ability to carry out everyday activities
3. to socialize with their peers

All this leads children and adults to become withdrawn and very often frustrated. So early diagnoses and interventions are essential.

What Skills Are Affected By Visual Processing Disorder?

Visual processing disorder (VPD) is often not noticeable until a child starts school. Becoming aware of what this disorder looks like is extremely important as it impacts such as wide range of skills.

Academic Skills:

Such as reading – remembering and recognizing what they have read, writing and maths including telling numbers, symbols and letter apart.

Emotional Skills:

These children will take a knock to their self-confidence and mental health the longer they do not receive diagnoses or assistance.

Very simple Life Skills can become very difficult with VPD. As can social interactions as they fail to understand and recognize personal space.

8 Types of Visual Processing Issues.

VPD issues are complex and as you will see they can be often confused with learning disabilities as they have many similarities.

VISUAL DISCRIMINATION ISSUES:

Trouble seeing the difference between similar letters, shapes, or objects, i.e. b, d, p, q.

VISUAL FIGURE-GROUND DISCRIMINATION ISSUES:

Struggle to distinguish a shape or letter from its background, so they find it hard to pull key information from a page.

VISUAL SEQUENCING ISSUES:

Find it difficult to see shapes, letters, or words in the correct order; they may skip lines when reading or read the same line over and over; reverse numbers.

VISUAL-MOTOR PROCESSING ISSUES:

Trouble using what they see to coordinate with the way they move. They may struggle to write within lines or taking down information from a book or blackboard. They may bump into objects while walking.

LONG- OR SHORT-TERM VISUAL MEMORY ISSUES:

Struggle to remember shapes, symbols, or objects they’ve seen. Plus they can have difficulties with recall of information.  All cause issues with reading and spelling.

VISUAL-SPATIAL ISSUES:

Trouble understanding where objects are in space. Unsure how close objects are to one another on paper or in person. Plus telling or judging time and reading maps.

VISUAL CLOSURE ISSUES:

Difficulty identifying an object, letter or person when only parts of it are showing.

LETTER AND SYMBOL REVERSAL ISSUES:

Switching numbers or letters. They may mistake b for d, w for m, 2 for 5 etc. This is common in most children prior to the age of 7 but if it continues it needs to be investigated.

Symptoms Of VPD

These are the most common VPD symptoms, but remember it can be hard to recognize this condition. So speak to your child’s teacher to see if they have noticed any of these symptoms also.

Symptoms: 

1. Doesn’t pay attention to visual tasks
2. Is easily distracted by too much visual information
3. Is restless or inattentive during video or visual presentations
4. Lacks interest in movies or television
5. Has difficulty with tasks that require copying (taking notes from a board)
6. Reverses or misreads letters, numbers and words
7. Bumps into things
8. Has difficulty writing within lines or margins
9. Has trouble spelling familiar words with irregular spelling patterns
10. Can’t remember phone numbers
11. Has poor reading comprehension when reading silently
12. Can’t remember even basic facts that were read silently
13. Skips words or entire lines when reading, or reads the same sentence over
14. Complains of eye strain or frequently rubs eyes
15. Has below-average reading comprehension and writing skills, despite strong oral comprehension and verbal skills
16. Has weak math skills; frequently ignores function signs, omits steps, and confuses visually similar formulas
17. Routinely fails to observe or recognize changes in bulletin board displays, signs or posted notices

Some Signs Parents May Notice.

1. Lacks interest in movies or TV
2. Is distracted by too much visual information
3. Often bumps into things
4. Has trouble with activities like catching or kicking a ball, doesn’t like sports for same reason
5. Frequently gets lost
6. Doesn’t know left from right
7. Does a sloppy job with visual tasks, like sweeping the floor or sorting socks
8. Can’t remember even basic facts that are read silently
9. Has trouble with homework such as skips words or entire lines when reading, or reads the same sentence over, still reversing letters and numbers over 7
10. Struggling with self-confidence
11. Finds it hard to fit in socially

Diagnoses Of VPD

If you notice your child is struggling at home and in school then make an appointment to see your child’s teacher. Always trust your gut instinct and don’t allow anyone to put you off seeking early interventions for your child.

Discuss your concerns with the school if they haven’t mentioned it to you already. Keeping notes about your observations will be helpful when you have this meeting and later if your child is assessed.

Request that your child is assessed by NEPS – Educational Psychologist from the Department of Education. Never wait if you suspect something is wrong as there are waiting lists to have your child assessed by Educational Psychologists.

If you suspect it may be a visual problem then get your child’s vision checked, educational psychologist’s will want to rule this out before they assess your child anyway.

Assessment

Once you have ruled out physical eyesight problems, your child will be assessed by a Psychologist. They will carry out a series of tests to diagnose learning problems. These tests are designed to measure:

1. Intelligence
2. academic skills (reading, writing, math)
3. language skills (vocabulary, listening comprehension, verbal expression)
4. memory and attention abilities.

The psychologist will require information from you and your child’s school. So as I said keeping notes will be very helpful.

If your child receives a diagnosis of VPD then the school will complete an IEP (Individual Educational Plan) for your child based on the recommendations of the psychologist.

You should be party to this plan and be given a copy of it and your child’s report. If the school doesn’t implement this procedure then request a meeting with the school to get this procedure started immediately, never wait.

Helping Your Child With VPD

Raising any child with a difficulty requires a lot of extra patience and hard work on your behalf. But there are some things you can do to help your child:

Learn Everything You Can.

Learn everything you can about VPD and any other condition/disability your child may have. Information is empowering and you’ll be better able to advocate and support your child the more you know.

Keep Records

Take Notes: observation of how VPD affects your child will help you better help them. These notes will also be useful in meetings with teachers/extra tutors/psychologist etc.

Get Support.

Join a support group and meet with other parents. Parents further down the path than you will be a wealth of information and support for you.

Stay In Touch With Your Child’s School 

You’ll need to do this more than other parents. Staying in touch helps in a number of ways:

1. You can ask the teacher about supports/techniques to use at home;
2. Keep up to date with supports your child is using in school and let the teacher know how your child is managing with homework or extra support at home;
3. If the teacher hasn’t mentioned difficulties they may not have noticed, you can bring these up as well.

Be Your Child’s Advocate And Teach Them To Do This Too

Teach your child to self-advocate, this can be done as your child grows. It is an important ability to learn for both in school and outside. Help your child recognize they have strengths too. As too much time may be spent on weaknesses and this can have a devastating effect on your child’s self-confidence.

Understand The Possible Emotional Impact

Having learning difficulties doesn’t just affect learning but also mental health. It can be very wearing on someone to constantly struggle while their peers seem to have it so easy. It is not unusual for children and teens to develop depression or/and anxiety. So please learn the warning signs and intervene early rather than later.

Build on your child’s strengths and help them succeed outside academia as much as possible. Always celebrate the smallest of victories as these can be the hardest fought battles. Your support and recognition will always boost your child’s self-esteem.

Helping Your Child At Home

These may be already suggested by your child’s IEP but if not you can start with these and add more as recommended.

1. Children with judging personal space issues. So using techniques such as the elbow rule. If your elbow touches someone when you put your arms out like chicken wings, then you’re standing too close to them. Or the hula hoop approach. Place a hula hoop on the ground and stand inside it, have your child stand next to the hula hoop and explain to them this is how close you should get to have a conversation with someone else. You will need to practice these techniques often until you child learns what is appropriate personal space. (ideas courtesy of https://www.understood.org )
2. For time management As they get older you can use apps. But for younger children using calendars to mark off special occasions, school holidays, etc., will also help. Using a colour coded clock with times marked off in sections (think time blocking here). On this you will have times for waking up, bed time, homework time, after school activities time, etc., marked off on it is also useful. Keep it simple the younger they are.
3. Read to them every day. Even if they are older children, pre-secondary school, but continue as long as they’ll let you. You can also use audio books. As you not only help them with their language skills but also keep them up to date on what their peers are reading.
4. Explore technology to find apps for reading, spelling etc., teach them to type as soon as they are old enough.
5. Colour-coding might help, your child’s report may suggest this.
6. Write or type notes, schedules, instructions and other information in large, clear letters. Request your child’s teacher supplies homework in this way if you find it helps.
7. Use fun too: Play visual games in the car such as I spy, point out landmarks on regular journeys to help them orientate themselves (don’t use right or left when doing this), play with puzzles together, reading Where’s Waldo? Books, play catch games.

Some other ways you can help at home may be found here also.

Work With Me.

Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.