Visual processing problems occur as a type of learning disability seen particularly among children in the first through fifth grades. Children in these grades are learning fundamental concepts of reading, spelling and mathematics and may have difficulty keeping up with other kids in the classroom. Problems with visual processing can result in learning delays if the situation is left unmanaged.
Identification
Visual processing problems sometimes occur even in children with perfect vision. A child may be able to read and see well but experiences a disconnect when the brain attempts to process the information he is viewing. According to Learning Disabilities Online, a visual processing disorder occurs when a child sees and takes in information, but his brain has difficulty processing the information into something useful.
Types
Children with visual processing problems show difficulties in several areas of learning while in school. According to the Ezra Medical Center, types of visual processing problems occur in the areas of reading, mathematics and problem solving, spelling, handwriting development and work with tables and graphs. Visual processing problems affect approximately 15 percent to 20 percent of children with learning disabilities.
Symptoms
A child may have various symptoms that show she is having difficulty with visual processing. Ferris State University affirms that these problems manifest as difficulty remembering studied words, indecipherable handwriting, difficulties copying written words, a short attention span, and frequently losing place while reading or reciting.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a visual processing disorder begins by testing a child's eyesight and determining her visual acuity. Poor vision contributes to an inability to understand concepts, although visual processing difficulties often occur among children without vision problems. A thorough assessment of a child's reading ability, vocabulary, visual memory, attention span and eye movements is necessary for diagnosis. Parents can learn about testing for their child through professional associations that can connect them with resources. The National Association for Child Development provides evaluations and testing for children with visual processing disturbances.
Therapy
Treatment of visual processing disorders involves various therapies to increase understanding of material and information. Children with visual processing difficulties benefit from exercises to practice reading by spacing words further apart on a page or practicing to focus on specific objects by covering other words in the sentence. Some children have problems recognizing items and associating them in context. They can benefit from activities such as puzzles that reinforce memory. Drawing pictures and maps help a child with graphic deficits to practice studying space and dimension of objects and lines.
