Does this scenario sound familiar? Your bright child is underachieving at school, homework is a daily struggle, and they seem unmotivated. They don’t remember what they’ve read, their handwriting is messy, and spelling is a challenge. Worse yet, they seem to hate school.
These are common concerns that Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD, a pediatric specialist in Versailles, Kentucky, hears frequently from parents. “They are describing the symptoms. We want to discover the causes of this behavior,” he explains.
The Hidden Link: Visual System and School Struggles
Often, the root of these academic struggles lies in the child’s visual system. Contrary to what many believe, vision isn’t just about reading an eye chart; it’s a complex system of skills essential for learning. In fact, up to 85% of classroom learning is visual.
To read well, a child needs more than good eyesight. Their eyes must focus properly, point accurately, and work in tandem while scanning across a page. Beyond this, the visual system must integrate with other senses, allowing the brain to process information seamlessly. Imagine reading as a movie playing in your head—smooth, clear, and continuous.
However, if any part of this system is inefficient, it can cause a child to fall behind in school. That’s where vision therapy comes in.
How Vision Therapy Helps Students Succeed
For years, Dr. Graebe has helped transform the academic lives of struggling students through Vision Therapy—a form of physical therapy for the eyes, brain, and body. This therapy helps to strengthen the developmental skills necessary for effective reading and learning.
Vision therapy begins with thorough testing that assesses vital reading skills, such as eye tracking, focus, and processing efficiency. Once inefficiencies are identified, a 30-week therapy program is created, tailored to each student’s needs.
Amazingly, after completing therapy, many students experience a gain equivalent to three years of classroom learning! And the best part? The therapy sessions are engaging and fun. Children participate in activities that may seem unrelated to reading—like walking balance beams, bouncing balls, and playing puzzle games—but these activities improve the visual system, making reading smoother and more enjoyable.
“It’s like the movie ‘Karate Kid,’” Dr. Graebe explains. “Kids do exercises that seem to have nothing to do with reading, and then suddenly, they realize, ‘Hey, I’m reading better!’”
The Key Difference: Vision Therapy vs. Tutoring
Tutoring focuses on re-teaching material a child is struggling with, but Vision Therapy improves the underlying visual skills needed for learning. As Dr. Graebe puts it, trying to succeed in school with an inefficient visual system is like running with 20-pound weights on your ankles. Unless those weights are removed, a child will always struggle to keep up.
“The fact that we can help children reach their potential is why I get up in the morning,” says Dr. Graebe. “We’re seeing remarkable results that can’t be found anywhere else, which is why families from all over Central and Southern Kentucky come to us for help.”
Unlock Your Child’s Potential
If your child is struggling with reading or schoolwork, it might be time to consider whether their visual system is holding them back. Vision Therapy could be the key to unlocking their full academic potential.
To schedule an appointment at our Versailles or Somerset locations, call us today at 859-879-0089. We serve the greater Lexington area and beyond, helping children just like yours achieve success in school.
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.