When School Becomes a Daily Struggle
Michelle Jones, a mother from Frankfort, Kentucky, knows all too well the challenges of helping a child who struggles in school. Her son, Cason, who is now 8 years old, began facing significant difficulties when he entered second grade at Elkhorn Elementary. Despite his mother’s background in elementary education, nothing seemed to ease Cason’s academic struggles. His reading level was far below his grade, and he started avoiding school, even acting out to miss class time. This once-enthusiastic boy was now caught in a daily battle that was taking a toll on both mother and child.
Michelle was at a loss. Traditional tutoring didn’t seem to make a difference, and she felt uncomfortable with the idea of holding him back a grade or pursuing a special education assessment. But one day, while preparing for a training session for her job with the Kentucky Education Association, she stumbled upon information about vision therapy. It was the breakthrough she didn’t know she was looking for.
Vision Therapy: Uncovering the Real Issue
Reading through a checklist of symptoms, Michelle quickly recognized her son in nearly every description. These symptoms led her to the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute in Versailles, just 15 minutes from her home. Dr. Rick Graebe, FCOVD, a renowned behavioral optometrist specializing in vision therapy, offered hope through a comprehensive evaluation that revealed Cason had multiple visual deficits. These included difficulties with tracking, depth perception, and peripheral vision, all of which had impacted his ability to read.
It turned out that while Cason could identify individual words, he struggled to read them fluidly in sentences, which affected his comprehension. But with vision therapy, the picture began to shift. Dr. Graebe started Cason on a tailored program that included light therapy, which helped restore his peripheral vision, and eye tracking exercises that enabled him to follow words across the page smoothly.
The Impact of Vision Therapy on Learning and Confidence
Within a short time, the change in Cason was nothing short of miraculous. His depth perception improved to near perfect, his eye coordination began working seamlessly, and his reading level increased by an entire grade. As he progressed through therapy, school became less of a battleground and more of a place where Cason felt capable and confident. He began to see reading not as a hurdle but as something he could enjoy.
Michelle recalls, “I nearly cried when I saw him pick up a book on his own. He was reading without frustration, and his newfound confidence was clear. The difference in his attitude was remarkable. Vision therapy transformed not only his ability to read but also his overall outlook on learning.”
Why Vision Therapy Could Be the Solution You Need
If your child struggles with reading or school performance and has not responded to traditional interventions, it may be time to consider vision therapy. Many children face unseen challenges that impact their academic success, and vision therapy offers a non-invasive way to address these underlying issues. At Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, we specialize in uncovering and treating visual deficits that may be affecting your child’s ability to thrive.
With locations in Versailles, serving the greater Lexington area, and Somerset, our team at Neuro-Visual Performance Institute is dedicated to helping children across Central and Southern Kentucky. We know that learning is more than just what’s on the page; it’s about seeing clearly, tracking efficiently, and integrating what the eyes see with what the brain processes.
Take the First Step Towards School Success
If you are a parent, teacher, or healthcare provider concerned about a child’s reading or learning difficulties, vision therapy could be the key to unlocking their potential. Dr. Rick Graebe, FCOVD, and his team have over 35 years of experience helping children reach new levels of academic success and personal confidence. Schedule an appointment today by calling us at 859-879-0089 to learn how vision therapy can make a difference in your child’s life.
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.