Specific learning disabilities affect the brain's ability to process verbal and non-verbal information efficiently and accurately. The most common learning disability is reading disability which includes dyslexia. Evidence supports that dyslexia is a language-based disorder. The core deficit of dyslexia is the phonological component of language…

Background: Documented inequalities in access to eye care for people with learning disabilities and/or autism are caused by poor uptake of primary eye care services, poor identification of eye problems, lack of signposting and reasonable adjustments of existing services, concerns about costs of care and the low priority historically given to these…

A comparison study involving 50 second-through-fifth graders was designed to analyze the relationships between the incidence of visual abnormalities and high and low academic achievement. Data suggested that children with deficient visual skills may experience greater problems academically. (SBH)

Identifies some functional vision problems and describes some assessment procedures for determining whether a child needs professional help. (MKM)

Differences in visual-ocular function, particularly optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), were compared with 40 learning disabled and 40 normal children (8-12 years-old). No significant differences were found between groups on the variables tested (refixation saccades, smooth ocular pursuit, spontaneous nystagmus, gaze nystagmus, and OKN). (Author/DB)

The interview with G. N. Getman, a developmental optometrist specializing in learning problems and disabilities, focuses on vision's impact on learning, the role of the vision specialist in the remediation of learning problems and disabilities, early screening programs, and visual training programs. (DLS)

The author traces the history of optometric vision training and its influences on academic performance and presents his views on the current controversy over the value of vision training for students with learning disabilities. He concludes with a list of approximately 50 references on the topic. (CL)

The author discusses applying J. Piaget's philosophy to the treatment of learning-related visual problems by first probing for the available knowledge in the person's ocular sensorimotor intelligence, visual thinking, and logical reasons. Then, through tasks, the individual is encouraged to engage in high-level thinking in the undeveloped areas.…

The role of visual imagery is explored as an information processing strategy, and its relationship is counterpointed to the linguistic system. The importance of visual imagery as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool to aid both visual and nonvisual performance and learning problems is discussed. (Author)

The literature relating visual problems, reading, and academic difficulties with neurophysiological mechanisms shows positive interaction among these factors. Both visual-evoked response and encephalographic studies show parietal or occipitoparietal neurophysiological anomalies which can be used to discriminate between normal and disabled readers…

Offers three reasons as to why some children encounter difficulty with educational activities involving vision: (1) inability to perceive and hold detail in mind, (2) lack of time given to accomplish task, and (3) introducing too many activities at one time. (MG)

The author contends that, while visual defects should not be confused with defects in visual perception, the identification and treatment of visual problems is an important element in the diagnosis and remediation of learning disabilities. (Author)

The author reviews aspects of visual integration which should be assessed in students with suspected learning problems: visually directed and monitored movements, visual tactual integrations, visual auditory language integrations, and visual systems integrations. (CL)

This article discusses issues in the identification of learning disabilities in students with low vision and examines the academic performance of one 8-year-old student and the methods that his multidisciplinary team used to document a dual diagnosis of low vision and learning disabilities. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

Discusses reading specialists' responsibilities concerning children's vision problems. (MKM)