AURORA, Ohio, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As a mother trying to determine why her child was struggling with reading and learning, Robin Benoit found it very difficult to locate answers.  According to Jillian's fourth grade teacher, even though Jillian was very bright, her academic performance was lagging behind.  She had poor handwriting, left many of her class assignments unfinished, skipped words when she read out loud, would daydream during silent reading, and was consistently going to the restroom during math.  

Jillian had been diagnosed with amblyopia (also known as lazy eye) but despite following the treatment prescribed by the ophthalmologist she continued to struggle with reading, spelling, and math. Her mom started searching the internet for information regarding vision and learning.  Her pediatrician and ophthalmologist were not supportive when Mrs. Benoit thought she found the answer to her daughter's problem.  But she followed her heart and continued pushing forward to help Jillian. This push led Mrs. Benoit to optometric vision therapy and a developmental optometrist who was able to help Jillian.

The results from optometric vision therapy changed Jillian's life, making it possible for her to learn and do many things she'd never done before. When they learned how widespread these types of vision problems are, Jillian and her mother decided to share their story by writing a book to help other parents who are struggling with reading and learning issues, Jillian's Story:  How Vision Therapy Changed My Daughter's Life.

Most parents don't realize that undiagnosed and untreated vision disorders can cause tremendous difficulty with learning. In fact over 60% of children who struggle with learning have undiagnosed vision problems. Thanks to Jillian's Story more parents are learning that their children, too, can be helped.

Mrs. Benoit was asked by the American Optometric Association to speak at their first ever School Readiness Summit: Focus on Vision held last month in Washington, DC. She shared her daughter's story with attendees there, including representatives from the U.S. Department of Education and the American Federation of Teachers.  And her daughter, Jillian, shared a message via video, "Trust me when I say that it's really hard to learn when you can't see."

According to information released by the American Federation of Teachers, "Even the most gifted students will struggle academically if they have trouble seeing the blackboard or focusing on a book. A tremendous amount of learning happens visually, so proper vision care is crucial to helping students reach their full potential… Every one of us has a role to play in providing our children with the best education possible."

The five most common signs that a vision problem may be interfering with your student's ability to read and learn are:

1. Skips lines, rereads lines

2. Poor reading comprehension

3. Takes much longer doing homework than it should take

4. Reverses letters like "b" into "d" when reading

5. Has a short attention span with reading and schoolwork

Any one of these symptoms is a sign of a possible vision problem.

 

"All good things that a boy should enjoy in his life because of Thomas and Dr. Johnson"

We met Thomas at an Albertson's food vendor show September 2005.   We had our son at the Kings Kids Pre-School in Meridian, Idaho.  The teacher spoke to us about Tyler's reading and his ability to spell sample words.  The concerns were presented to Thomas, he explained the services provided through your practice.

Tyler began first grade at Cole Valley Chrisitan School the next fall.  Mrs. Burnside expressed concern of Tyler's ability to read from a short distance and Tyler spoke to his mother about his eyes going crazy and seeing light with one eye and dark with the other eye.

Tyler's eye examination revealed a condition called "convergence".  The condition was explained as the eyes not working together.  Thomas began eye therapy and working with Tyler.  There were red flags that began to explain some of Tyler's physical limitations including; going up stairs left foot - left foot, coming down stairs left foot - left foot, not able to maintain balance on a bicycle, not being able to catch or throw a ball.

Therapy was two and three times a week, home therapy every morning before school, after school and incorporated into home work study for spelling, and math facts study.  Eye therapy continued for two years.

Results of Tyler's eye therapy are as follows:

• Played and completed one year of coach pitch baseball
• Played and completed second year of baseball (player pitch)
• Played and completed one week of football camp at Bishop Kelly HIgh School
• Played and completed one year of sophomore Optimist Youth Football
• Currently enrolled at Cole Valley Christian School, fourth grade
• Standardized Reading Test Results are Tyler reading at seventh grade level
• Once a month Tyler returns to the first grade class to be a "reading buddy" for one student in Mrs. Brunside's class

All good things that a boy should enjoy in his life because of Thomas and Dr. Johnson.

James L.

 

Vision therapy is effective in rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury Would I recommend vision therapy for a person young or middle aged as myself? A thousand times, “Yes!”

During February 1989, I was involved in an accident, breaking bones and causing a closed head injury. I was unable to communicate properly, had great difficulty with balance and fatigue, and a great memory loss. Unable to read, I was having bad headaches along with dizziness.

My vision therapy was in conjunction with cognitive therapy. As I relearned, I was also trained to bring my eye focus back. I was taught how to control my balance and how to speed up my thinking process. 

This therapy took many months of hard work and when I talk about it, I get very emotional because I was a person who was unable to think or see properly and had to be led around by the hand. I do know that today, I can associate with normal people and not be embarrassed. I drive, read, use the computer, TV and participate in most normal activities. I have come from a person who had to have a caretaker, to a person who lives a complete life.

Would I recommend vision therapy for a person young or middle aged as myself? A thousand times, “Yes!” 

Your family will be thrilled at all kinds of results of learning that is possible after vision therapy.

 

Vision therapy and learning difficulties

In the few months Erin has been attending vision therapy, we are already beginning to notice changes. Homework doesn’t take as long as it did two months ago, there are no more tears when she has a lot to write, she is becoming more and more independent as time goes on. She still needs a lot of guidance, but seems to “catch on” to what is expected of her a lot faster. The greatest improvement, however, has been in her report card. Last year, Erin’s third grade teacher wanted to fail her because she had so much difficulty in “keeping up” with the class. This year, her first 9 week report card put Erin on the “A” Honor Roll!! She’s been working hard. We’re both so grateful for all the wonderful work being done in this office!!!

 

A student's perspective

Thank you so much for introducing me to vision therapy.  This was brand new to me and it surprised me with it's effectiveness.  I can definitely tell a difference in my eyes while reading.  This has particularly improved at times when my eyes are tired, when I used to get most uncomfortable.  As a student, I can tell a difference in my study habits, and vision therapy has also helped me enjoy reading more than I used to.

I would recommend vision therapy to anyone with a similar problem with their eyes.  My only regret is that I did not find this help sooner.  It would have saved me a lot of discomfort and frustration.  Thank you again for everything.

 

Now, I love school!

Before I started vision therapy, I hated doing homework or reading.  I would give my mom a hard time and homework would take forever.  Now, I love school, schoolwork, homework, and reading.  My glasses helped out a lot.  I have seen a difference in my handwriting, reading and just seeing things in a new way.  Vision therapy has helped me open up and accept changes, it has helped me be more aware of what is going on.  Vision therapy kept me out of the Special Ed. class at my old school and helped me start fresh in my new school.  I have done so well, I have been on the Honor Roll since I've been here (2 years).  I've been getting "A's" and "B's" on tests, in all subjects and hope to keep it that way.

I would tell anyone about vision therapy if they have or had a problem like I did.  And I hope that schools and doctors accept and admit the things vision therapy does.

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