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Can anyone tell me about vision therapy?


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I took my dyslexic dd in to see the eye doctor today. He says she has tracking problems and also looks down her nose instead of straight out when she is trying to focus on something. He says she needs vision therapy to correct these problems. The program he wants to use involves a training session with me and then it's work on the computer and with me at home. 30 minutes to an hour five days a week. Has anyone done this with their child and did it help?

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Quite frankly I am not a fan of the computer based VT. I am a big believer in the style of VT that is done with a real live therapist once per week, and then daily homework using simple tools - not a computer. I looked into both types for our son. The computer-based type was going to be a lot more expensive and take longer.

 

With a real live trained therapist working in person with your child, the therapist is aware of how your child is progressing each week, when to increase difficulty, when an exercise has maxed out its benefit and it's time to introduce something else, etc. Also every 6-8 sessions, the therapist should be giving a progress report to the doctor who may choose to repeat some testing, or have the therapist repeat some testing. Some kids reach goals with fewer sessions than originally planned, or sometimes the therapist notices problems that need more focus in the therapy sessions than originally planned. There is just no substitute for an experienced therapist doing a session with your child each week. The therapist and doctor work together to make sure you are getting effective therapy for your money. A computer program used at home is no substitute for that.

Edited by laundrycrisis
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Two sons had different types of vision therapy:

1) VT, Expensive 8 week session (didn't take insurance) - had a little effect, but very little, and didn't seem to last. Included daily homework of things like balance exercises, clapping games, and very specific vision exercises. (Only computer work was in his office, 10 minutes a week....he put him on the computer while discussing homework assignments with me.)

2) OT based VT exercises - had little effect, but according to our final last (successful doctor) laid an excellent foundation. This included 'The Listening Program', core exercises, and some vision exercises like hitting a ball on a string.

3) Neurological chiropractor - again, helped lay a good foundation, but was not sufficient in and of itself. Included Interactive Metronome, primary reflex exercises, core exercises, and very few vision specific exercises.

4) VT, 1.5 years! - Included Interactive Metronome, twice weekly appointments with the doctors trained therapist, and computerized homework. She did the games/exercises with the boys, and all I had to do was oversee that they worked at the computer stuff. I liked this, and this is what was finally successful with my boys. This doctor took insurance, and we paid almost nothing.

 

In my experience, I would look for a program that you can afford and that is at least close to a year (for lasting results). They should tell you very specifically which problems they are addressing, and not vague generalities. #1 the doctor actually did the therapy, but it was SO expensive...I'd rather have the therapist with the doctor checking progress, and more affordable therapy.

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If he's only doing it with computer, I would keep looking. It's expensive no matter who does it, and computer alone is NOT ideal. You're going to get MUCH better results with a different doctor. So yes pursue it, but find another doctor.

 

Go to COVD's website and use their doc locator.

 

Kudos to this doc for at least finding it! :)

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If he's only doing it with computer, I would keep looking. It's expensive no matter who does it, and computer alone is NOT ideal. You're going to get MUCH better results with a different doctor. So yes pursue it, but find another doctor.

 

Go to COVD's website and use their doc locator.

 

Kudos to this doc for at least finding it! :)

 

I checked the website and the nearest doctor they list is an hour away. I got the impression that it was work on the computer and I was also supposed to be working with her off the computer as well. They said something about "flippers". And I really have no idea what that is. The total cost is $350 for six weeks with $50 back when I return the "flippers," whatever they are.

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If the doc is not listed with COVD, it's a real crapshoot. No the *majority* of the work should not be on the computer. Flippers look like this http://optego.com/index.php?product_id=18&page=shop.product_details&category_id=7&flypage=flypage.tpl&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=9&vmcchk=1&Itemid=9 They come in different powers. You use them for the exercises. I don't know if they use them with computer work. At our place they're done with paper exercises, because they'll have the dc read near then far or track along a page, flipping between the two sides. There's lots more they do with them.

 

I guess you need to sort out if the guy is a developmental optometrist with COVD or not, and then figure out whether this therapy would be totally on the computer or also with paper and hands-on stuff. *I* wouldn't do exclusively computer therapy. I would call the farther away place that's actually in COVD. You're likely to see a dramatic difference. It will be a difference in price (because it probably needs to be longer than 6 weeks to get everything done, mercy) but also thoroughness.

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  • 2 weeks later...

There is no examining to figure out whether your child needs vision therapy . your kid's studying problems are the result of inexperienced graphic abilities which perspective treatment workouts can help.

Edited by Remno
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