Optometric Visual Training- visual processing issues

[ChillinwiththeVillains]

DS is 9 and behind on writing, spelling and reading. He is bright and good memory and has been “faking” reading by using good comprehension skills to guess likely next word. So classic bumpy profile.
During his delayed dyslexia assessment the assessor noticed fatigue when reading and odd tracking. After a specialist eye assessment they said he had amazing eye sight but couldn’t process what he was seeing easily- so would re visit a word several times and this affected his ability to read.
They have offered optometric visual training- waiting list and 60 lessons. But it involves half an hour practice daily.
We don’t mind paying if it can help him as I feel very bad I didn’t notice he was struggling so much- had assumed laziness.
BUT it’s a question of time. What should we prioritise? dyslexia assessor said he should practice reading and spelling daily for half an hour. He is starting 11+ prep- all his peers and his older sibling did so and I don’t want to look like I don’t think he is capable (he is but will need more time to read the questions).
TLDR: does OVT work? Can anyone point me in the direction of any evidence? And how should we split our 30 school work slot in the morning: spelling/reading/OVT?
Thank you.

Hi, I’ve no experience but bumping for you as my DD maybe has something similar (visual processing disorder) but we were simply given acetates and told to get on with it and she’s increasingly really struggling at school.

sorry to hear about your DD. Yes it does seem like school were hoping everything would just fix itself (me too to an extent). GP has now referred us for the same type of test but for hearing as there was some squiffy stuff in the dyslexia testing around reverse ordering of words and numbers.

DD, 18, had a behavioural optometrist appt this summer. After discussion we agreed not to start vision therapy yet as she has too much else on her plate, but I agree it is a tough decision. I would suggest doing the vision stuff in the bath or something but he might be too old to want you there / he may have showers anyway.
I'd be tempted to alternate days between reading and vision stuff unless the Optometrist says that would be pointless.

Ah he doesn’t let me in the bathroom when naked any more. Otherwise that would have been a brilliant idea. Optometrist says every day practising or not at all. Eldest is having braces fitted soon and I wish we could get a corrective training pair or glasses or something. Feels like a big commitment.
How did you realise at 18yo that you needed an assessment? Was she coping alright until then? Obviously please don’t answer if this is intrusive.

Potted history:
DD always found school hard & poor motor skills but primary and secondary never that bothered. Started finding it harder still in y10, then covid and MH dropped off a cliff. Missed all y11.
Last academic y12 recovered enough for college but struggling worse due to MH so couldn't 'push through' like before.
So applied for and got EHCP. Arranged private dyslexia&dyspraxia assessment (yes to both). She recommended BehOpt so did that this summer. They said she focuses ahead of where she should (might explain why going down stairs is so hard for her), recommended green filters which she is finding helpful, and said about vision therapy. We aren't doing it yet as DD doesn't have the stamina for extras - she only managed 75% attendance last year and it needs to be 90%+ to not get behind this year.

Should have done it years back really but she was 'coping' and our attention was distracted by DD1 who kept producing major crises about once every 3 months from when DD2 was in y6 until and into the pandemic.

Oof that all sounds very tough for all of you. I do think that schools should be more tuned into these things earlier. We had one brilliant NQT who referred my son over the short time she was teaching him despite covid disruption. But precious and subsequent teachers have denied any issues. So now in Y5 we are being told we have left it late but it feels like the system is set up to fob you off almost. Good luck with supporting her and hope her MH improves and she feels better.

DD, 15, has just started with a behavioural optometrist. She is dyslexic.

He determined that she had poor physical focus in her eyes. She had been given exercises to do. She has been told to do them daily, but not to do them for more than 10 minutes. We are tacking it on straight after dinner in the hopes of getting a routine going.

we don’t know yet, if it will help.

Oh that’s interesting. We were told 30 minutes which feels like alot. But if it works we will try anything tbh. My son has good ability to focus but poor processing. So my hopes of a trainer eye patch to improve the issue was way too optimistic.

And I hope it does help. Is it her GCSE year this year?

Yes, it is her GCSE year.

She is a slow processor, it seems to be the underlying issue behind her dyslexia.

Her pupils did not dilate evenly until she was about 3 or 4. Not sure if that is related to her eyes lazy ficus now.

Good luck with your DS.

i hope that it has a really positive impact. It really seems mad that they don’t test for this at entry to primary as a readiness to learn metric.

Agree. There are so many little things that we think we cannot afford that would save money in the long run.

I think if I have grandchildren I would offer to fund the test for them if my children would like. Would be much better going into school informed.