A behavioural optometrist will also look at Vision Processing. This is the ability of the brain to understand the pictures that are being sent through from the eyes. Vision processing skills must link in with other systems of the body such as auditory processing and fine motor skills.
Behavioural optometrists also study how the visual system develops over the years of childhood to assess if a child is visually ready to begin learning to read and write at school. Understanding this sequence of development is vital in the programming of vision therapy or training activities which will improve visual skills and/or visual processing to an age appropriate level. This knowledge is also vital to ensure that those with learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADD, developmental delays, autism, or Asperger’s Syndrome are able to reach their full visual potential.
Processing skills must link in with other body systems such as hearing, balance and our muscles.
Vision Processing skills are involved in helping us to:
- Move when we walk
- Judge speed and distance when we drive
- Be aware of peripheral movement when we play sport
- Guide our pencil when we write
- Know what sounds to say when we see writing on a page
- See images in our head when we think or read which helps us to plan and create
- Remember in our mind’s eye words, pictures or surrounding that we have seen before
