age 8 struggling with reading ,behavioural optometrist recommended

[Danthe4th]

My 8 year old ds has struggled to learn to read and is still at rec/yr 1 standard I would think, slight improvement with writing.

I took him to the opticians to rule out sight problems and explained about his reading ability and she has recommended a behavioural optometrist in kenilworth, I have never heard of one so have just googled and found one in cheltenham, which is a bit closer to us.

Has anyone any experience of having the test as i've been on the website and the test lasts 2 hours and they say to expect to be there for 4 hours!!

It looks really interesting, but it doesn't say how much, i'm guessing £150 minimum.

Over on the SN board lots of people rave about behavioural optometrists (BABO). I'm dead keen to take my DS who has visual perception problems and my DD who has dyslexia, but am just trying to fit it in around everything else that happens in life.

I think you are very lucky to have been referred because most people haven't heard of them.

Hi,
DO IT!
My DD has visual perception problems and the B.Opt diagnosed binocular instability. Patching and specs followed and two years later (she is nearly 9) she is reading beautifully and got into a highly selective school. Her spelling is still awful but we have the SENCO on her case. It is expensive but so worth it. Your DD will probably enjoy the gadgets at the appointment too. The b.Opt will look with a visiograph at how well the eyes work together. If the brain and the eyes don't communicate effectively, your child may be seeing two images at the same time or be unable to focus for more than a few moments without pain.

Good luck and let us know how you got on.

Thanks both of you, i'm actually quite excited and going to ring to make an appointment and find out how much its going to cost.