Anyone know anything about orthoptic treatment?

[utterlyconfused]

To stick to the basics, my ds (almost 6) has been assessed and found to have poor convergence. He was assessed privately and we have the option of private treatment - 8 to 10 sessions at £75 a go!!! We could get it on health insurance but wouldn't be covered for the whole lot. When I spoke to the woman who assessed him and asked about NHS, she said it wasn't a priority for them as it is neither life- nor sight-threatening.
I'm not organising treatment for him immediately as he is about to start a block of OT, but I do think I want to go ahead with treatment; he reads well now but as writing becomes smaller and there are more words on a page, and as he has to do things like copy fro a board, this will prevent challenges for him. He is a bright boy and I can't bear the thought of him struggling because of this problem.

Any thoughts or experiences, anyone?

In shocked that the nhs said that. Have you help from the visual impairment service? Ours works with the school and has access and funding to enlarge or order special equipment. We fall outside statementing ATM as dd is 5 - she has multiple visual problems. None of which can really be fixed or improved beyond lenses and that still leaces her with problems.There are other resources around. How does your school feel about coping with the need?

No, it wasn't the NHS that said that, it was a private orthoptist. The OT's that assessed ds recommended we see her. He has dcd and sensory processing issues.
He's at an independent school so that cuts out state help through the school.
The school is very supportive, although they seem to think it's not an issue as he apparently isn't struggling. However, he will. So far his brightness and the fact that he's a third child have got him by but as things become more challeging he will struggle. (He only started school last summer as we're in Scotland.)

our visual impairment service worked with dd when she was in private Montessori school. Do ask and do check.
dd is also very very bright we hope it is ages before she encounters problems. Is your sons problem something that could wait until its really affecting him before you get the treatments?

I have very poor convergence, but have had all of my treatment on the NHS, and they have always been very responsive.

From the excercises I used to do, I think that what you are being offered is a right rip off - it was a matter of looking at a pencil held at arms length, and then bringing it towards my face and then away againg (and that sort of thing). The best treatment is prisms in glasses which bring everything together. In fact I had a sight test today, and the optician I saw specialises in convergence issues, and especially for children with reading problems. He said that it can be nothing short of miraculous.

Go to your GP, explain about the assesment and ask to be referred to the opthamologist and orthoptist. DS got an appointment within 3 weeks.

have to admit. Dds treatment and care on nhs has been phenomenal.