In an article about the role of vision and learning disabilities, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Council on Children with Disabilities issued a joint statement:
Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision
By: Reading Rockets (2010)
Thanks to advances in imaging techniques and scientific inquiry, we now know much more about learning disabilities (LD), dyslexia, and the role of vision problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Council on Children with Disabilities, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology published a joint statement that summarizes what is currently known about visual problems and dyslexia. The statement also covers what treatments are and are not recommended when diagnosing and treating vision problems, learning disabilities, and dyslexia.
The eyes play an important role in sending visual signals to the brain, and a lot of information presented at school is presented visually. For these reasons, it's important to make sure your child is able to see well and correctly. Schools often do vision screenings at the beginning of the year, and your pediatrician's office can refer you to an ophthalmologist with experience in caring for children. However, vision problems are not the cause of dyslexia or learning disabilities. The federal definition of learning disabilities is careful to state that the learning disabilities do not include learning problems that are primarily due to visual difficulties.
Because vision problems do not cause dyslexia or learning disabilities, treating LD or dyslexia through approaches such as eye exercises, behavioral vision therapy, or special tinted filters or lenses won't help a child struggling to learn to read. Therapies and treatments like those described are not supported by scientific evidence, and are not recommended or endorsed. [emphasis added]
More...http://www.ldonline.org/article/35053
If your child is struggling with reading or other learning issues, it is important to have him or her evaluated by a licensed clinical psychologist who also has an expertise in the technologies that can provide equal access to the regular school or college curriculum. To learn more about this topic, please contact Dr. Jeanne Beckman at 847-446-1251 or visit her at http://www.JeanneBeckman.com
