vision therapy

[3keylimes]

My son is 7 and in 2nd grade. We found that he needed glasses this past December. His reading wasn't up to snuff at that point and we figured - great, he'll be fine now. The Dr. gave him an incorrect presecription, he went backwards in his reading skills. Back to another Dr. who gave him the right prescription. Reading skills improved, but still not at grade level. The school tested him for a learning disability and found his IQ to be above average. They couldn't do anymore. We had a perception test done and they found multiple other problems, tracking, reversals (which are normal to a certain point), words jumping or missing. His reading level is lower and because he can't see/read correctly, other things are slipping.
We have had him in vision therapy since April and crossing our fingers that it works. It's very difficult though and has to be done every night plus his homework - 70-90 minutes of work each night. Yikes, huh?
Anyway, he is a bright boy, but is starting to feel "dumb". My heart feels like it is being ripped out of my chest every single day. I want him to keep his confidence and help him through this. He started seeing an occupational therapist as well this past week Vision therapy suggested an evaluation) and I also called the school to get additional help/time in reading - even though they said because of his high IQ they really couldn't do much - whatever! I mentioned getting a tutor for him, but his 1st grade teacher - who was amazing - said she didn't think it would do much good because he knows the material, just can't see it correctly.
Is anyone else going through this? Can anyone help with suggestions? He hates homework now and especially hates the eye therapy. I break all the work up into little bits so it;s not so overwhelming. It is a crying fight every single day. He is NOT a cryer either, so this really makes me sad for him. I am even considering home schooling if I can't get help from the school so he gets adequate attention in the areas he needs. I would LOVE to hear suggestions, opinions, anything.

[MommaC]

The IQ thing is a bunch of bologna! A child's IQ doesn't qualify or disqualify him for additional services. If anything the discrepancy between his IQ and his learning ability should QUALIFY him! Honestly, I think an educated tutor could be really helpful. Obviously the reading component is throwing everything else off. So in all subjects BESIDES reading, the material should be presented differently (like maybe someone should read it to him). And if the worksheets are difficult for him to work with, then they need to have visual adaptations for that (either bolded or enlarged with a copier etc.). It is the SCHOOL'S job to make your son's education accessible to him. It is your job as his parent to ADVOCATE for him (which it sounds like you are). It is my understanding that if a parent requests an evaluation, the school MUST do one (at least where I live, anyway). Be sure to let your son know that you realize that this is really hard for him and that you feel bad that you have to make him do things that are so un-fun. Make sure he knows that you know he's SO smart but that his eyes are just messing everything up. Reassure him that you're having him do all this stuff to HELP him so hopefully the eye problem will go away. If you think it would be inspiring, show him some videos/documentaries of kids with similar (or different) disabilities who are working with and/or overcoming them. For instance, some kids with cerebral palsy have to work REALLY hard to walk with or without braces, yet they keep trying and trying and trying...even when it's hard...and they're so proud when they master it. Keep pushing the school and yourself, and keep lavishing love on your little boy!

[LauraAnn]

Hello
I am as well an occupational therapist. Vision problems are very hard for many to understand and extremely overlooked. You're very fortunate to be in an area where you can receive vision therapy. Talk to your vision therapist and occupational therapist about ways to break down the homework so that it's easier for your son. In many cases some types of prism glasses can be used and make all the difference in the world. I would hope they have already looked into this for you - but if not ask them about it. I had a child who performed night and day difference with the simple use of prism glasses! The occupational therapist should also provide you with some suggestions for the teachers, in order to help adapt the schoolwork to be easier for your son. The school is required, as for everyone with a special need, to try to provide modifications for vision difficulties.
Your support for your son is most crucial he will need your loving guidance through this difficult time.
Best of wishes

[MommaC]

Funniest thing happened today. I ended up at the public library (I'm almost NEVER there...maybe once a year--well, twice because I have to return the book/DVD, right?). Anyway, I had time to kill so I picked up a magazine--Saturday Evening Post, which I NEVER read. I just started reading from the front and came across this letter (you SO didn't need all that explanation, but I thought it was so weird how I ended up stumbling across this article, and I thought of YOU):

A LETTER TO TY PENNINGTON
There is a problem with the way eyes track that can cause dyslexia; it is called "convergence insufficiency disorder." When I look at your eyes, I wonder if you have the problem. I'm a retired reading specialist, and my focus for years was working to correct vision problems that affected reading.

I imagine that the work on the software would even improve an adult's eye tracking, though I have only worked with children. If you are interested, you can contact Ken Hodges, the president of Educational Learning Systems, 850-386-3708 or 800-779-4444.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if vision/reading labs were available in every stae? These could be set up as nonprofits, and a certain number of students could be served on scholarships, with the others paying. Why not have Ty Pennington Vision/Reading Labs as your legacy?

P.S.: The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, does work with convergence insuffieciency disorder. Some studies indicate that about 75% of dyslexic students have visual processing problems attributed to a defect in a vision pathway in the brain.

Peggy Mitchell, Ph.D.
Fayetteville, Georgia

Of course, I have no idea of how relevant this information is for your son and his difficulties, but I thought I'd pass it on, because you were the first person I thought of. Hope all is going well for you guys!