Visual Processing Disorders Explained: How They Affect Learning and Daily Life

What Are Visual Processing Disorders?

Visual processing disorders occur when the brain has trouble understanding and organizing visual information. Unlike vision issues that impact clarity, VPD affects how the brain processes and interprets what the eyes see.

There are several types of visual processing disorders, each impacting a specific area of visual perception:

• Visual Discrimination: Difficulty distinguishing small differences between objects or letters, such as confusing “b” and “d.”
• Visual Memory: Trouble recalling what was just seen or read.
• Visual Sequencing: Challenges understanding the correct order of visual stimuli, such as reading from left to right.
• Visual Figure-Ground Discrimination: Difficulty identifying a shape or object when it’s surrounded by a busy background.
• Visual Closure: Struggles to recognize an object when only part of it is visible.

Types of Visual Processing Disorders

There are several types of visual processing disorders, each affecting how a child processes visual information:

1. Visual Discrimination: The inability to notice subtle differences in objects, letters, or numbers.
2. Visual Memory: Difficulty recalling what has been seen.
3. Visual Sequencing: Trouble organizing visual stimuli, such as letters or numbers, in a particular order.
4. Visual Figure-Ground Discrimination: The brain cannot isolate a figure from a complex background.
5. Visual Closure: The child has a hard time recognizing objects or words when parts are missing.

These types of visual processing issues can create challenges in reading, writing, math, and even motor skills.

Signs of Visual Processing Disorder

Children with visual processing disorders may display symptoms that often get confused with other learning disabilities like dyslexia. Here are some signs of visual processing disorder to watch for:

• Reading comprehension struggles: A child may have difficulty understanding what they read or confuse similar letters.
• Difficulty with spatial awareness: They may struggle with understanding where objects are in relation to each other.
• Trouble copying from a board or book: Transferring information from one source to another is difficult.
• Math difficulties: Processing visual patterns or understanding numbers can become overwhelming.
• Challenges with motor skills: Coordination issues, particularly with handwriting or physical activities, are common.

If these signs sound familiar, it might be time to consider an evaluation.

Practical Tips for Parents: Supporting Your Child at Home

While waiting for vision therapy or working through treatment, there are steps you can take at home to support your child:

1. Create a supportive learning environment: Reduce visual clutter in your child’s workspace. Keep things organized and distraction-free, using color coding or simple labels for easy reference.

2. Use reading guides: Help your child focus on one line at a time while reading by using a ruler or a colored overlay. This can reduce distractions and make it easier to follow text.

3. Incorporate multi-sensory learning: Engage more senses when teaching new concepts. For instance, use tactile learning tools like letter tiles or textured shapes to reinforce visual concepts.

4. Practice visual memory games: Card-matching games or puzzles can help strengthen visual memory. These activities train the brain to recognize and recall visual information.

5. Break tasks into smaller steps: Help your child process information in bite-sized pieces. This prevents overwhelm and makes complex tasks feel more manageable.

These activities support your child’s development while they undergo vision therapy.

How Cook Vision Therapy Diagnoses Visual Processing Disorders

Cook Vision Therapy takes a comprehensive approach to diagnosing visual processing disorders. Our team uses advanced diagnostic tools and tests to evaluate how the brain processes visual information, including visual discrimination, sequencing, and memory skills.

At Cook Vision Therapy, we pride ourselves on our individualized care and thorough assessments. We tailor each treatment plan to the child’s unique needs, ensuring the most effective results.

Success Stories: Real Results from Cook Vision Therapy

“Jason came to vision therapy without the ability to copy simple shapes and figures.”

“He was unable to read or recognize simple sight words. He had difficulty catching a baseball and could not do most activities that required fine motor skills. He is now reading signs, books, newspapers and any words that he comes upon. He is writing sentences and paragraphs. His is playing baseball and having much success in school. We are so pleased that he has gone from being below grade level to being on grade level land pushing to achieve goals above grade level.”

“She was being tested for Attention Deficit Disorder.”

“Ashley has been so excited about the changes. . . . I think it would have been horrible to have her labeled as ADD when her only problem was [reading] comprehension. In the initial consultation, I could see she had a definite problem. She was seeing double. She has had a dramatic improvement. She can control her eyes while reading so now she is able to concentrate. She feels more confident in herself after seeing improvement in her grades.”

“His teachers felt he exhibited signs of ADD.”

“Christopher was having trouble staying “on task” at school and his teachers felt he exhibited signs of ADD. His father and I would not accept this evaluation. The school gave hims some psychological tests which showed he had a high I.Q. We were very frustrated that the school wanted to label him as a problem. The teachers modified his work and did not challenge him-this gave Christopher very low self-esteem.

At our lowest point, I saw Dr. Cook on a television interview . . . I got Dr. Cook’s book that day and read it cover to cover. This convinced me to schedule a screening visit. . . We say in five minutes that Christopher had a problem with his eyes working together. In three months of therapy, this problem has been corrected. Christopher’s work is no longer modified. He scored very well in reading and reading comprehension on the Iowa Basic Test. Also he is now being evaluated for the gifted program at school. Christopher now has the tools to reach his potential. We are very, very grateful to Dr. Cook and everyone at Cook Vision Therapy.

What Makes Cook Vision Therapy Unique?

David L. Cook, O.D., F.A.A.O., F.C.O.V.D,

Clinician, author, international educator, Dr. David Cook, is one of the nation’s leading authorities on vision therapy, enjoying over forty years of experience as a clinician changing the lives of thousands of vision therapy patients.

In 1974, he earned his A.B. in English Literature from U.C.L.A where he was also co-captain of the gymnastics team. He received his doctorate in optometry from Pacific University College of Optometry in 1978 and in 1979 completed the vision therapy residency at the State University of New York’s College of Optometry, where he was also a clinical instructor.

In addition to his books, When Your Child Struggles, Visual Fitness, and The Shape of the Sky, he has published over a dozen articles on vision therapy in peer-reviewed, clinical-science journals. Three of these papers won best-article-of-the-year awards, and he has received the Skeffington Award for excellence in writing on vision therapy.

Areas We Serve

Cook Vision Therapy proudly serves families in Marietta GA, Midtown, Duluth, Roswell, Woodstock, Kennesaw, Cartersville, and the greater Atlanta area. If you’re located in the region, schedule an appointment today to start the path to better visual processing.

Take the Next Step with Cook Vision Therapy

Visual processing disorders can have a significant impact on your child’s learning and development. Early diagnosis and treatment with vision therapy can make a world of difference. At Cook Vision Therapy, we are committed to helping your child overcome these challenges and thrive in school and life.

Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation and take the first step toward improving your child’s visual processing skills.

FAQ: Common Questions About Visual Processing Disorders

Q: How long does vision therapy take?
A: The duration of vision therapy varies for each child, depending on the severity of the disorder. Most programs last between 6-12 months.

Q: Can visual processing disorders be cured?
A: Visual processing disorders are lifelong conditions, but vision therapy can significantly improve how the brain processes visual information. Children learn coping strategies that help them succeed in school and daily tasks.

Q: How do I know if my child has a visual processing disorder?
A: If your child struggles with reading comprehension, writing, or copying from the board, it could be a sign of a visual processing issue. A comprehensive vision evaluation is the best way to diagnose VPD.

Q: Does Cook Vision Therapy treat auditory processing disorders?
A: We specialize in visual processing disorders, but we can work alongside other professionals if your child has additional needs, such as auditory processing challenges.

Q: What are some common types of visual processing difficulties?

A: Common types of visual processing difficulties include visual discrimination issues, visual sequencing issues, visual closure issues, and visual-motor processing issues. Each type impacts how individuals perceive and interact with visual stimuli.

Q: Can visual processing difficulties be linked to dyslexia?

A: Yes, many people with dyslexia may also experience visual processing difficulties. These processing difficulties can exacerbate reading challenges, making it harder for individuals to decode written language effectively.

Q: How can visual processing therapy help individuals with visual processing difficulties?

A: Visual processing therapy is designed to improve the way the brain processes visual information. This can lead to enhanced visual perceptual skills, better short-term and long-term visual memory, and improved visual-motor integration.

Q: Are visual processing difficulties permanent, or can they improve over time?

A: While some individuals may experience long-term visual processing difficulties, others can see improvement through targeted interventions like visual processing therapy, practice, and accommodations in learning environments.

Q: How do visual memory issues affect daily life for people with visual processing difficulties?

A: People with visual memory issues may struggle to remember visual information, such as directions or instructions. This can lead to challenges in both academic settings and everyday activities, impacting independence and confidence.

Q: What role does short-term visual memory play in learning?

A: Short-term visual memory is crucial for retaining visual information temporarily, which is essential for tasks such as reading comprehension and problem-solving. Deficiencies in this area can hinder academic performance and everyday tasks.

Q: Can visual processing difficulties co-occur with other disorders?

A: Yes, visual processing difficulties often co-occur with other disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and visual-motor processing issues. This can complicate diagnoses and treatment plans, requiring a comprehensive approach to support.