Eyecare for NeuroDivergent
Vision is more than seeing an eye chart. Visual deficiencies and behavior can go hand in hand.
Children with special needs deserve exceptional vision care. At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, we understand that vision challenges can profoundly affect your child’s learning, communication, and daily life. Dr. Rick Graebe is board certified in Vision Therapy, Pediatric Developmental Vision Care and Vision Rehabilitation with the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association (OVDRA) and has specialized training and experience in addressing the unique visual needs of children of all stages of development and with a any form of physical, mental, behavioral, or psychological disabilities. As Central and Southern Kentucky’s trusted partner in developmental vision care, we work closely with your family to unlock your child’s full potential.
Exceptional Vision Care for Children with Special Needs.
What Is The Connection Between Vision and neurodivergence?
Vision is fundamental to the overall development of a child. It is more than just the ability to see; it’s how the brain processes what is seen. Vision is intricately linked to the learning and development process, affecting cognitive, spatial awareness, and sensory integration.
Vision problems are often the root cause, not just a symptom, of various neurodevelopmental issues such as autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders. By addressing vision problems early, we can significantly influence a child’s developmental trajectory, enhancing their ability to learn and interact with their surroundings.
- Misdiagnosis: Often times a diagnosis of learning issues, ADHD, Dyslexia, and other developmental conditions may miss the underlying vision issue that is causing these symptoms
- Vision is a Developed Process: Every child develops visually at their own pace, which is why children with neurodivergence require a specialized approach to their vision care.
Common Visual Disorders Among Neuro-Diverse Kids
Children with special needs often face a higher risk of various visual disorders, which can significantly impact their development, learning, and daily interactions.
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): Reduced vision in one eye due to abnormal visual development.
- Convergence Insufficiency: Difficulty with eye coordination, especially for tasks requiring close focus, like reading.
- Strabismus (Crossed or Wall Eyes): Misalignment of the eyes, affecting depth perception and coordination.
- Myopia (Nearsightedness): Clear close-up vision but blurred vision at a distance.
- Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Difficulty focusing on close objects, impacting reading and fine detail tasks.
- Astigmatism: Distorted or blurred vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea or lens.
- Perceptual Visual Disorders: Challenges with visual processing, impacting how the brain interprets visual input.
The Role Of Vision In neurodiverence
Vision is integral to the learning process—nearly 80% of learning is visual. Without properly functioning visual skills, children may misinterpret information, struggle with reading comprehension, or show signs of fatigue. In fact, research has shown that children with undiagnosed vision issues are often misdiagnosed with ADHD or dyslexia due to overlapping symptoms like inattentiveness and reading difficulties.
- At all stages of development, a well functioning visual system will allow for each child to reach their potential.
How Dr. Graebe Diagnoses neurodivergent vision Issues
Standard eye exams are typically insufficient for identifying neurodivergent vision problems. At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, Dr. Graebe conducts comprehensive functional vision assessments that go beyond checking for 20/20 vision. His assessment includes tests for eye tracking, teaming, focus flexibility, and visual processing, all crucial for school success. Using advanced tools and methods, Dr. Graebe can pinpoint specific issues that may be hindering a child’s development and academic performance.
As a pediatric specialty office we are attentive to the unique needs of each patient.
A Developmental Eye Exam
For the neuro-diverse patient, a standard eye exam is not enough. During a developmental eye exam, we will assess the complete visual system, identifying possible underlying issues, and if needed recommend treatment. Vision therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it’s a series of tailored exercises and activities conducted under the supervision of Dr. Graebe and his trained team. The therapy aims to retrain the eyes and brain to work together seamlessly.
Common components of therapy include:
- Eye Coordination Exercises: Activities that teach the eyes to focus together accurately, enhancing binocular vision.
- Tracking and Focus Drills: Tasks that improve the eyes’ ability to smoothly follow and focus on moving objects.
- Visual-Motor Exercises: Engaging activities, like catching or tossing objects, that improve eye-hand coordination and spatial awareness.
Learn More About Developmental Eye Exams
Is Your Child Reaching Their Full Potential?
Dr. Graebe’s Approach: Vision Therapy for Neurodivergent Vision Problems
Dr. Rick Graebe and his team offer vision therapy, a personalized treatment designed to correct issues with eye tracking, eye teaming, and focus control. Vision therapy strengthens the connection between the eyes and brain, enabling children to process visual information accurately and efficiently.
Why Choose Neuro-Visual Performance Institute?
Dr. Graebe’s experience and specialization in pediatric vision development and neuro-optometric rehabilitation make him a trusted expert in identifying and treating vision-related learning problems. With a deep understanding of how vision impacts learning and development, he has helped children across Central and Southern Kentucky unlock their full potential.
Benefits of Seeing A Pediatric Specialist
- Identify more than the basics, get to the root of what may be holding back your child’s potential.
- A warm, friendly, and experienced pediatric eye care team
- Increased confidence by understanding what is really holding your child back
- Reduced misdiagnosis of learning disabilities, ADHD, dyslexia, and other conditions.
Schedule an Evaluation with Dr. Rick Graebe Today!
If you suspect your child’s learning challenges may be related to vision, don’t wait to seek help. Dr. Graebe’s expertise in diagnosing and treating vision-related learning issues through vision therapy can make a profound difference. With offices in Versailles and Somerset, Kentucky, Dr. Graebe proudly serves patients from Lexington, Danville, Nicholasville, and beyond.
Schedule a Developmental Evaluation with Dr. Rick Graebe Today 859-879-0089 to schedule a functional vision assessment for your child today. See how Dr. Graebe and his team can help your child thrive in school and beyond.
Versailles Location
105 Crossfield Dr., Suite B
Versailles, KY 40383
P: 859-879-0089
F: 859-214-8008