There is a difference between sight and vision. Eye sight is assessed based upon the ability to see at a distance of 20 feet and identify letters on the Snellen chart.    A determination is made regarding the eye’s ability to make clear an image at a distance.  The ability to see clearly, however, is only one of several skills needed to process information.

Vision is a complex process and can be thought of as the ability to take what you see and make sense of it.

There are 20+ visual performance skills necessary to process what we see. Visual perceptual skills include accommodation, eye teaming, ocular motor coordination and integration. If a child has a problem with vision, we may see the following behaviors:

    • Losing place and skipping lines
    • Exaggerating head movements while reading
    • Confusing letters, numbers and words
    • Mis-aligning digits in columns of numbers
    • Crooked or poorly spaced writing
    • Difficulty copying from the chalkboard
    • Tires when reading
    • Becoming easily distracted
    • Avoiding near, visually demanding tasks
    • Emotional outbursts when performing such visual tasks as playing the piano

If your child is having difficulty reading and you notice some of the behaviors listed above, please contact our office.  At Southwest Rehabilitation, we provide a series of comprehensive assessments that can help steer you in the right direction.  Don’t wait!