By: Integrated Learning Strategies
Visual Processing Disorder (VPD) is a learning challenge that can affect reading, tracking, writing and math abilities. It is often mistaken for Dyslexia and ADHD, and the best intervention is to work with a vision specialist to strengthen the eyes, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Parents can also purchase toys to help their child's ocular motor skills and visual planning. It is important to know the differences between a visual processing issue and another type of learning challenge, as it can help determine the best intervention for a child.
Signs and symptoms to watch for – Struggles to copy notes from the chalkboard. – Has difficulty identifying words and often leaves sounds or letters out while reading. – Struggles with directionality of letters, often writes them backward. – Confuses letters, shapes and numbers.
Signs and symptoms to watch for – Has trouble with reading, cannot track words on a page. – Displays signs of poor visual memory. Can’t remember what they saw (i.e., phone numbers, words, letters and notes on the chalkboard). – Has trouble sequencing symbols, words or images, which is why they may have trouble with equations and math facts. – Displays attention and focus issues, has poor balance and coordination, runs into furniture or people.