As many as half of all reading disabilities among school children are the result of vision problems. For children to learn, they need to see as clearly as possible. Children assume that how they see is how everyone else sees. So it's up to teachers and parents to spot vision difficulties and refer children for a professional eye test with a qualified vision specialist.
Look for these indicators of vision problems:
- Excessive tearing, redness, or blinking
- Headaches in the forehead or temples
- Complaints of print blurring while reading
- Turns head while reading or loses place frequently
- Has trouble with spacing or difficulty writing on lines
- Rereads or skips lines unknowingly
- Squints, covers one eye, or uses finger to keep place on page
- Repeatedly confuses left and right directions
- Mistakes words with the same or similar beginnings
- Holds book close to eyes or works with head close to desk
If you see any of these indicators, it's time to get tested by a qualified vision specialist. Don't wait. |
