People
with specific learning difficulties have problems with
certain areas of academic performance, yet do well in
other subjects and are generally intelligent. The most
common type of specific learning disability is reading
difficulty, often called dyslexia.
“Dyslexia”
means having difficulty with words in reading, spelling
and writing – in spite of having normal intelligence
and ability.
It
is a fact that 75% of our learning ability comes via our
visual senses. It may not come as a surprise, therefore
that a high proportion of children with learning difficulties
who attend are found to have a visual problem (but not
necessarily with their eyesight), which can prevent them
from reaching their true academic potential. Leonardo
da Vinci and Einstein are both thought to have been dyslexic.
In
a specialised area of our work, termed “Behavioural
Optometry”, we relate how a person’s vision
integrates with their other senses and balance, co-ordination
and spatial awareness, which are usually affected if dyspraxia
co-exists. Dyspraxia is an impairment or immaturity of
the organisation of movement that is often accompanied
by problems with language, perception and thought.
Our
treatment results in literacy improvement and also improvement
in the subject’s general confidence and self-esteem.
Because
dyslexia is a multifaceted problem, we generally recommended
that the subject receives ancillary teaching help to complement
and reinforce our approach.
