Community Update

Struggling Students

For
millions of parents, back to school means back to the search for
answers to their children’s learning difficulties. While many parents
are hopeful the new teacher will have a magic bullet, others are just as
frustrated as when the previous school year ended. “There is a light at
the end of the tunnel,” says Dr. David Damari, President of the College
of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), “Statistically more than
60% of children who struggle with reading have underlying vision problems contributing to their challenges.”





But it’s not the type of vision problem most people think of. Most of the children who have vision problems that interfere with reading and learning
can actually see the letters on the eye chart just fine. So when
parents are told their children have passed a vision screening, what
they are really being told is that their child can see clearly far away.
But the problem lies in what was not tested – how well the two eyes
work together when reading, how they move on the page or track a line of
print, to name a few of the 17 visual skills required for academic success.





As the new school year rounds the corner, NOW is the
perfect time to make sure your child has all the visual skills required
for academic success. For more information, or to find a doctor near you
visit covd.org.

About COVD

The
College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) is an
international, non-profit optometric membership organization that
provides education, evaluation, and board certification programs in
behavioral and developmental vision care, vision therapy, and visual
rehabilitation. The organization is comprised of doctors of optometry,
vision therapists and other vision specialists. For more information on
learning-related vision problems, vision therapy and COVD, please visit covd.org or call 888.268.3770.



A series of public service announcements (PSAs) are available at covd.org
to help raise awareness that vision problems can not only interfere
with learning, but sports performance, and other activities of daily
living. These PSAs also address vision problems that impact individuals
who have autism spectrum disorders or those who have suffered a head
injury.



It’s not too late! School is just starting. Make sure your child has the visual skills he/she needs to have a successful year.