A visual processing disorder refers to a hindered ability to make sense of information taken in through the eyes. This condition differs from issues involving sight or the sharpness of vision, as the eyes themselves may function perfectly well. Instead, it affects how the brain interprets or processes the visual information it receives. Individuals with this disorder may have 20/20 vision but still experience considerable difficulty understanding what they see.
What Visual Processing Disorders Are
Visual processing disorders are neurological conditions impacting how the brain processes visual input. Unlike visual acuity problems, these disorders do not stem from issues with the eyes’ ability to focus light. The challenge lies in the brain’s capacity to interpret and use the visual data sent from the eyes. This means that while the eyes “look,” the brain struggles to “see” or make sense of the visual world.
The brain undertakes functions to process visual information, including spatial awareness, visual memory, and visual discrimination. Disruptions in these functions can lead to a visual processing disorder. This can impact various aspects of daily life, including academic performance, social interactions, and routine activities.
Different Types of Visual Processing Disorders
Visual processing disorders manifest in various ways, with several distinct types each affecting specific visual processing skills.
Visual discrimination: Difficulty recognizing similarities and differences between shapes, sizes, objects, colors, or patterns, which can lead to confusion between similar letters like ‘b’ and ‘d’.
Visual figure-ground discrimination: Struggling to distinguish a shape or letter from its background, making it challenging to focus on relevant visual information in cluttered environments.
Visual sequential memory: The ability to remember and recall a sequence of objects or events in the correct order. Individuals with this disorder may find it difficult to maintain reading order, remember number sequences, or spell words correctly.
Visual memory: Generally involves difficulty with the short-term and long-term recall of shapes, symbols, or objects. This can affect recognizing letters and numbers, sight word reading, and copying from other sources.
Visual-spatial relations: Involve trouble understanding where objects are in space and their relationship to one another. This can result in difficulties judging distances, reading maps, or giving directions.
Visual form constancy: The ability to understand that a form, shape, or object remains the same even when its size, position, or environment changes. A person with this challenge might struggle to recognize a letter if it’s presented in a different font or orientation.
Visual closure: Describes the difficulty identifying an object or image when only parts of it are visible. This can lead to struggles with completing puzzles or recognizing partially obscured objects.
Visual-motor processing: Involves trouble coordinating what is seen with physical movements, impacting hand-eye coordination. This can affect activities like writing within lines, copying from a board, or participating in sports.
Identifying the Signs
Observing specific indicators can suggest the presence of a visual processing disorder. In academic settings, individuals may mix up similar-looking words or letters, such as ‘b’ and ‘p’, or write letters and numbers in reverse. They might exhibit poor reading comprehension, frequently skipping words or lines, or struggling to keep their place on a page. Handwriting often presents challenges, appearing inconsistent, difficult to read, or showing trouble staying within lines.
Beyond academics, signs can appear in daily tasks and social interactions. Individuals may struggle with puzzles, have difficulty finding items in a cluttered environment, or be clumsy and bump into objects frequently. Following multi-step directions can be challenging, as can telling time or remembering phone numbers. Some individuals might complain of headaches or eye strain after prolonged visual tasks, or show sensitivity to bright lights. These signs can impact a person’s ability to engage in activities requiring visual attention.
Diagnosis and Support
Diagnosing a visual processing disorder typically involves a comprehensive evaluation conducted by specialists. Developmental optometrists, educational psychologists, or occupational therapists are professionals who can assess different aspects of visual processing. The assessment process often includes specialized tests that evaluate visual discrimination, figure-ground perception, visual memory, and visual-motor abilities, rather than just standard eye exams for vision acuity. Early identification and intervention are important for effectively supporting individuals with these disorders.
Support strategies and interventions focus on managing challenges and improving visual processing skills. Vision therapy, a specialized treatment, uses exercises and activities to strengthen the eye-brain connection and enhance visual perception skills. Occupational therapy helps improve a person’s ability to perform daily tasks by focusing on visual-motor skills and perception. Additionally, accommodations such as specialized educational techniques, visual aids like colored overlays, and environmental modifications can be beneficial. These approaches aim to help individuals navigate their environments and improve their learning experiences.