Definition
A visual processing, or perceptual, disorder refers to a hindered ability to make sense of information taken in through the eyes. This is different from problems involving sight or sharpness of vision. Difficulties with visual processing affect how visual information is interpreted or processed by the brain.
Common areas of difficulty and some educational implications
- Visual Discrimination. Using the sense of sight to notice and compare the features of different items to distinguish one item from another. For example, misunderstanding or confusing written symbols (+, x, /, &) or problems differentiating colors or similarly shaped letters and numbers (example: b/d; p/ q; 6/9; 2/5)
- Visual Sequencing. The ability to see and distinguish the order of symbols, words, or images. For example, writing within margins or on lines or aligning numbers in math problems or organizing and solving math problems
- Visual Motor Processing. Using feedback from the eyes to coordinate the movement of other parts of the body. For example, copying from board or books or accurately identifying information from pictures, charts, graphs, maps, etc.
- Long-Term Visual Memory. The ability to recall something seen some time ago such as remembering directions to a location.
- Short-Term Visual Memory. The ability to remember something seen very recently. For example, becoming easily distracted, especially by competing visual information or finding and retaining important information in reading assignments or tests.
These issues often mean underachievement in mathematics, often accompanied by anxiety and avoidance
Support Services: What do you do?
MindWell recommends testing to determine why your child is having difficulty with learning what he or she sees. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our Northern Virginia office.
Did You Know?
Some students can become overwhelmed by the amount of information on a page and shut down even if they know how to do the work.