Comments on: Welcome Back!

By: jim smith

jim smith — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:37:42 +0000

HAY I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS A 9YO BOY THAT THE FATHER PUT ON SLEEPING PILLS , HE GETS ONE @ 5PM WITH SUPPER,CAN YOU ALL HELP ME WITH THIS I MYSELF HAVE A 12YO BOY THAT IS ADHD THE SAME AS MY FRIENDS 9YO BUT NEVER HAD TO PUT ON SLEEPING PILLS , IS THIS THE NEW THING ? I WOULD NEVER PUT MY SON ON IT

By: Michael Flynn

Michael Flynn — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:22:01 +0000

Its so moving to read these parents comments. I understand and appreciate your worry and frustration in obtaining useful information. You are to be commended for your efforts to find answers to help you children.

I want to inform everyone of our efforts in Missouri to bring vision tutor to schools. Learning Insights is a not for profit agency that trains school personnel to screen for vision issues and then tutor those with challenges in school. While we cannot use all the tools and techniques that are available from a doctor we can and do offer a tutoring program developed by a team of COVD doctors.

We hope to be able to offer many activities and ideas of what parents can do to help their child on our web site, http://www.learninginsights.org bby the summer of 2010.

Good luck with your children.

By: Sharreen

Sharreen — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:27:39 +0000

I read the above entries. Unsettling memories were brought back. The son I took to vision therepy and for eye testing was in the 6th grade he is now a grown man in his early 30′s. We had little to no medical insurance support for his vision therapy sessions. He had a miserable time in elementary school. He was our “mild mannered reporter” family member, yet begining with his 2nd grade teacher he was pulled away from the other children and assigned a seperate desk farther away from the chalk board. He had an IEP that promised us 1 year’s growth within the school year, yet he was 2-3 years behind in different academic areas. Finally we told the gathered board for the IEP we would take our tax dollars elsewhere and pulled him from public school. Oh that we could have really taken the then $5, 500.00 per student California tax dollars and put it into vision therapy and home centered learning. He received a perscription for reading glasses but at 6th grade refused to wear them. He did do his vision therapy exercises at home after we had to cease vision therapy sessions as too costly for our one income budget. He used to skate board, continues to surf, snow board, rock climbing and travel. He shied away from attending collage, as he remembers still the challenges of public school and lables. He has learned on-the-job doing and developing his artistic talents creating unique designs on one of a kind mosaic patio tables, pool and tile work, landscaping, furniture moving and displays. He saves up to travel to such places as Hawaii, Yucatan, etc. He is happy, enough he says. I see him still as being wounded by the system that now says, No child left behind. Pooh! Wasted tax dollars. Vision therapy should be part of the curriculum. Even just pencil push-ups would strengthen vision in our young children starting in Kindergarten!

By: Alecia

Alecia — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:54:24 +0000

Hi,

My 16 year old daughter was just diagnosed with convergence insuffiency. She also has depth perception issues, is short sighted in one eye and is far sighted in the other. She is a very strong student but has always needed to spent a great deal of time on her homework in order to succeed. High school has been very stressful for her. Her optometrist said her strong work ethic and persistence have masked her underlying eye issues for all these years. We knew that she was a slow reader but we had no idea how slow. She recently started getting accomodations (extended time on tests) at school and this has reduced her stress level remarkably. She needs to take the SAT and/or the ACT in the spring and I am thinking of petitioning for extra time. I understand that it is a very slow process and since it is already November I wanted to see if anyone could offer any advice on how to most effectively move forward.

By: Kathy Roberts

Kathy Roberts — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:55:59 +0000

Never give up…… My daughter was 16 when she started therapy. She was an honor roll student and has 20/20 vision, but could not pass the standardized tests. She worked so hard every day it was sad. We got her at tutor just to help her keep her head above water and she was sinking fast if we did not find out what was wrong. The school was not worried at all. They stated she was fine!! Don’t worry! Well, I knew something was not right. No student should have to work that hard when she was that smart. SHe would fail comprehension tests on her reading books. As a last resort I took her to a local doctor who does visual testing. We found she had major visual problems. After finding out about all her problems I understand some of the odd things she would do. However, I did not pick up on the clues. I am a loving an caring mother and educator!! How can this happen to my daugher. Well, it did and can. We need to do a better job of screening our students for visual problems even if they have 20/20 vision. She did 25 weeks of visual therapy and has pass both of her comprehension book tests with 100% on each. Also, she is back to normal levels of testing now. Her self esteem has improved so much! She is a better driver and everyone is so happy!! I thank God everyday for our doctor and the therapy Lynn did with them. They changed her life!!!!! The educational systems need to be informed and educated so we can help struggling students.

By: Meghan

Meghan — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:36:23 +0000

My son is only 2 years old and has had poor eye contact from day one. He was diagnosed with intermittent and alternating esotropia at 14 months of age. We were prescribed prism glasses, which he wore consistently for six weeks, but then refused to wear them. I would like to begin vision therapy for him, but I don’t know if he is too young or if prism glasses are required to incorporate vision therapy? Also, if someone lives in the Philadelphia area and can recommend a good developmental optometrist and vision therapist, I would be incredibly appreciative. Thank you!

By: Susan Gonzales

Susan Gonzales — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:44:05 +0000

Thanks Jennifer, I will check out the website you mentioned. My son graduates this year from the School of Architeture. His dream is coming true thanks to the eye therapy he had.

I wish your son all the best in his journey to become an Architect.

Susan

By: Shelly

Shelly — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:28:13 +0000

Our story, my daughter when she was 3 yrs old told us words ‘split’ on a page when we read to her. A recommended opthamologist prescribed pencil push-ups, and two years later told us she was cured of her convergence insufficiency. Now 10, she struggles with school work, dislikes and/or is disinterested in reading, and makes silly mistakes on tests. After researching these symptoms, she was re-diagnosed by a behavioral optometrist that did not accept insurance. Further research led us to another behavioral optometrist that accepts our insurance, and has almost twenty years of success treating individuals and children with this diagnosis. Our insurance company, under the medical plan, accepts VT (we have a PPO). We are committed, hopeful, and excited to have a partner in helping my daughter have the opportunity to learn how to use her vision.

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:46:21 +0000

just starting out with this, it is hard to know who to trust. I live on Long Island and it seems that Vision Therapy is the new “it word”. It also seems that all the Optometrists want to hang a slate, and tell you this will solve all your childs problems. How do you know who is good and who has taken a three hour course in Vegas only to make money. This is expensive and most insurance companies will not pay for it. They ask all the right questions, and have all the right answers.

By: Bill Bartmann

Bill Bartmann — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:02:52 +0000

Cool site, love the info.