Visual Convergence Insufficiency

[readyin07]

I think this may be a long shot but wondering if anyone has any experience with convergence insufficiency and their kids. My DS1 (5 1/2) was recommended for OT back in October because he was struggling to master the pencil grasp in preschool. He actually made leaps and bounds with his writing and can now do all of his letters and numbers, but over the course of his treatment his OT has come back to some perceived convergence insufficiency with respect to his right eye in particular.

Right now, she has us doing several exercises as well as working with "vision sticks" and has noted a big improvement, but she thinks it's time for him to see an ophthalmologist just to verify that we're proceeding in the right direction and get things underway before he starts kindergarten and hard core reading. We see her for free though a state program and our time with her is almost over.

Just curious if anyone else has dealt with this. MIL and SIL both had/have mild dyslexia so I do worry  how this might affect his schoolwork next year. From what I have read on-line some people view convergence insufficiency as a bit of a "quack" diagnosis and that it's almost always recommended to have in-office therapy (which is, of course, expensive). I am wondering if you dealt with this how you handled it in terms of therapy and how successful it was. Because  he isn't yet in elementary school and hasn't started reading, it's hard for me to say that we should begin therapy right away if they do indeed  suggest it because who knows if it will even cause a problem? I know a lot of children who have this have poor hand eye coordination and my son does not so who knows?

[Captain Serious]

I'm a strong believer in have any child who might have vision problems seen by an ophthalmologist. I would take him to one that you research and are comfortable, not one that your OT suggests. My younger son is seen by an ophthalmologist that works out of a children's hospital, and I trust him implicitly.

When I was younger, I was wrongfully prescribed bifocals and vision therapy, all by an optometrist trying to make more money, so I get the concern. Whenever I hear that a friend's kid is recommended to undergo vision therapy, I always recommend they do their research and get a second opinion. That being said, there are certainly some therapies and treatments that can help in certain situations, such as when the eyes do not train/focus together (strabismus).

It's also important to know that dyslexia is NOT a vision problem. It's a brain issue, and is far more than just reversing letters and their order. If you have concerns about dyslexia, your child should be evaluated around the time he/she is in second grade.

[imojoebunny]

I don't know what exactly DD has, though I have a ten page report outlining her deficiencies. She does not look straight at you when you take a picture for example, but she thinks she is. She has glasses, but they seem not to help. She also has visual processing disorder, which makes it difficult for her to read and write, and impacts her coordination. Some things, like doing puzzles or word searches are next to impossible for her. She has had vision therapy, with no marked improvement after 5 months.

We treat her problems with Orton Gullingham tutoring, handwriting therapy, circus class, horse back riding, and ice skating. She is doing much better, and can now read slowly, but above grade level.

DD's "diagnosis" falls under the sensory processing area. It is hard to get assistance from public school. We put her in private, and it has proven to be worth it. She is doing well, and they make accommodations without a fight that help her as things come up, like amended writing assignments, where she can dictate to me, to keep her from subjugating her knowledge because writing is so hard. Eventually, she will use a computer, and that will make it easier.