Anyone Seen a Behavioral Optimologist?
- Thread starter jal
- Start date
GoingNorth
Crazy Cat Lady
Well, I do know tha
t there's a specialty in opthalmology (the eye docs with the MD) that deals with things like how visual input in interpreted by the brain. They usually have a lot of extra training in neurology as it pertains to vision and visual functioning.
Years back I had a co-worker who's son had severe LDs in reading and vocabulary. His vision tested as perfect at an optometrist. It turns out that he was unable to properly see and interpret contrast, which made it very difficult for him to see work on a blackboard or overhead projector. Due to his frustration, he began acting out in classes.
It took something as simple as providing him with sheets of yellow plastic transparent film to place over his reading materials, and giving him copies of board and overhead projected work.
t there's a specialty in opthalmology (the eye docs with the MD) that deals with things like how visual input in interpreted by the brain. They usually have a lot of extra training in neurology as it pertains to vision and visual functioning.
Years back I had a co-worker who's son had severe LDs in reading and vocabulary. His vision tested as perfect at an optometrist. It turns out that he was unable to properly see and interpret contrast, which made it very difficult for him to see work on a blackboard or overhead projector. Due to his frustration, he began acting out in classes.
It took something as simple as providing him with sheets of yellow plastic transparent film to place over his reading materials, and giving him copies of board and overhead projected work.
thank you - GN
My son doesn't have Learning Disability (LD)'s, but at an Occupational Therapist (OT) evaluation last yr we were told he had a problem with-his eyes converging. They don't seem to come together at the point where they need to to focus on table top activities (he's 7). Even though he claims they don't bother him and he's an awesome catcher and ball player. I too have worried in the past. Something is a bit off with-his eyes, even though he testes pretty much fine @ the peds. He's never been to an optomoligist. He's going to this specialist next week. His Occupational Therapist (OT) recommended he gets checked. They have worked on it over the past year but feel that he needs an appropriate evaluation by a specialist.
My son doesn't have Learning Disability (LD)'s, but at an Occupational Therapist (OT) evaluation last yr we were told he had a problem with-his eyes converging. They don't seem to come together at the point where they need to to focus on table top activities (he's 7). Even though he claims they don't bother him and he's an awesome catcher and ball player. I too have worried in the past. Something is a bit off with-his eyes, even though he testes pretty much fine @ the peds. He's never been to an optomoligist. He's going to this specialist next week. His Occupational Therapist (OT) recommended he gets checked. They have worked on it over the past year but feel that he needs an appropriate evaluation by a specialist.
smallworld
Moderator
There's a difference between an ophthalmologist (with an MD) and a behavioral optometrist. Do you know which professional your son is going to?
justour2boys
Momto2Boys
Yes... when my DS was in 1st grade his teacher noticed some difficulties with tracking sentences and copying from the board. The school did some brief vision testing and while the tested at 20/20, his eyes were not working together.
He under went extensive testing and vision therapy at a University School of Opthomology. The therapy is intense! He had to do eye exercises every day (with out fail) for 6 weeks with weekly clinic visits. He then took a break and was re-tested. He then had to do another 4 week set. It was not for the faint of heart... esp with a difficult child!
I can tell you that vision therapy can be considered controversial and insurance does not cover it. But I can also tell you that it did help my DS and re-testing after 2 years showed the therapy results still held.
Here are just a few online resources.
http://www.childrensvision.com/
http://www.covd.org/
http://www.visionandlearning.org/
Hope this helps.
He under went extensive testing and vision therapy at a University School of Opthomology. The therapy is intense! He had to do eye exercises every day (with out fail) for 6 weeks with weekly clinic visits. He then took a break and was re-tested. He then had to do another 4 week set. It was not for the faint of heart... esp with a difficult child!
I can tell you that vision therapy can be considered controversial and insurance does not cover it. But I can also tell you that it did help my DS and re-testing after 2 years showed the therapy results still held.
Here are just a few online resources.
http://www.childrensvision.com/
http://www.covd.org/
http://www.visionandlearning.org/
Hope this helps.
tiredmommy
Well-Known Member
This is a timely thread for me, lol! We've never been to a behavioral optimologist but Duckie received Occupational Therapist (OT) last year because she has visual tracking problems... she has been dismissed from Occupational Therapist (OT) because she's performing well enough now. BUT... I just realized yesterday that she's not performing at 100%. We've had numerous battles about her math homework, she usually gets a work sheet M-TH evenings. She doesn't have a lot of space to show her work so her teacher has her use a separate sheet and then place the answer on the worksheet. The separate sheet gets stapled to the work sheet and turned in.
It can take Duckie a good 40 minutes or more to do 15 to 20 problems on her own. I tried something new yesterday: I read her the problem, she wrote it on the separate sheet, did the math, I pointed to where the answer went, she wrote it in. She did 18 problems in 22 minutes! She had absolutely no problem with the math itself, she gets tripped up moving back and forth between the sheets. So then she gets frustrated (who wants to spend 40+ minutes on one subject of homework each night in third grade?), so she acts out. I'll probably talk to the school Occupational Therapist (OT) about stragedies we can use at home to help do better in this area.
It can take Duckie a good 40 minutes or more to do 15 to 20 problems on her own. I tried something new yesterday: I read her the problem, she wrote it on the separate sheet, did the math, I pointed to where the answer went, she wrote it in. She did 18 problems in 22 minutes! She had absolutely no problem with the math itself, she gets tripped up moving back and forth between the sheets. So then she gets frustrated (who wants to spend 40+ minutes on one subject of homework each night in third grade?), so she acts out. I'll probably talk to the school Occupational Therapist (OT) about stragedies we can use at home to help do better in this area.
crazymama30
Active Member
difficult child did vision therapy for depth perceptions and tracking. Very expensive as insurance did not cover it, but was worth it. difficult child probably needs to go back, but we just cannot afford it at this time.
smallworld
Moderator
jal, you're spelling it wrong, I think. Is it an MD?
hearts and roses
Mind Reader
easy child saw a behavioral Opthamologist years ago back in 2nd and 3rd grade who helped train the muscles behind her eyes to focus together. They were focusing apart and she had trouble reading. Eventually, the training helped. Then in 4th grade she suffered cerebellitus and the training no longer worked - she had permanent damage to her motor skills and had to be fitted for regular glasses for nearsightedness but nothing could really be done for the muscle damage at that point. difficult child also saw this Dr and he was able to help her with similar issues. This was not covered by our insurance, however, the good Dr was able to give us a 'cash' price that was affordable for a while. If your insurance does not cover this Dr, ask about a cash price.
