Dyslexia & Vision Therapy

A WORD ABOUT DYSLEXIA AND VISION THERAPY:

Defined: Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.
^{[This definition is from the International Dyslexia Association, 2002.]}

It is important to understand that vision problems do not cause dyslexia. Therefore, correcting the vision problem will not cure or correct dyslexia. In other words, vision therapy is not expected to improve the reading ability of children with dyslexia.

The best way to help children with dyslexia is with Structured Literacy Instruction (SL). Structured literacy instruction are multisensory reading methods like the Orton-Gillingham reading program, Project Read, Slingerland, Wilson, Spalding, and Alphabet Phonics approach.

When Dr. Gushiken examines a child who has a reading problem, he tries to determine if the child has dyslexia. If the child does display these characteristics, the child is referred to an Orton-Gillingham tutor for further evaluation and possibly tutoring.