Eye test 'NORMAL'... Visual Processing problems??

[MrsForgetful]

DS3 (11) with AS and ADHD
(and i'm sure some degree of dyslexia)

Just started secondary school and has been complaining of not being able to keep up with work (regarding whiteboard work) and headaches. Eyes looking tired.

Took him for eyetest today....and no 'problems' detected.

I am aware of 'Tracking' problems (DS1 has that) so thought that may be the issue... looking up and down from whiteboard to paper and getting muddled etc....

And also the 'coloured lenses'

But the optician mentioned something else....which i have googled...'Visual Processing'

She said to mention it to the school....

How best do i approach the school.....or shall i talk to paediatrician who diagnosed him with AS/ADHD???

Or can i go to a 'specialist ASD optician'... and would their opinion be listed to by school???

(here we go again...battle ahead...nothing ever straightforward!)

Yes. A normal optician won't pick up visual processing problems. Try a BABO optometerist. It's very likely that he has these problems and that they can be helped with exercises.

thanks so much....i feel so sorry for him...

MrsForgetful
it was a OT that said my daughter has this.
maybe you could try talking to a OT and asking for a assessment?
good luck with this and i hope you get this sorted out soon.

Our Paediatrician referred us to an Orthoptist after our first appointment, apparently standard for all new cases. Good luck, hope you get an appointment soon. x

Thanks...i have decided to phone paed on monday ...she reffered my eldest to OT a few years back...so am sure she will do the same for DS3

Specialist Orthoptist can dx, very simply tests which are done there and then. Ds has similar problems to your ds. He has tracking difficulties and has been dxed with type ll oculomotor deficiencies = good vision, but is ability to follow lines as for reading and writing was very inaccurate. Eye specialist also ruled out Irlene Syndrome (coloured lenses)

We were referred by another Orthoptist, but apparently school can refer, as can your GP or Paed. You need a Specialist Orthoptist.

It can take ages to get an appointment with an NHS Orthoptist though.

If you have the funding and there is one nearby I would second Indigo and go to a BABO optometrist www.babo.co.uk/. At least you won't be waiting/fighting for resources, plus you will get some advice with which to make an informed decision or what you could do to support your son while waiting for NHS appointment.

Sorry i hadnt read Indigo post.

We got our appointment about 2 weeks after the referral, it was getting the referral that was the hard part in our case.

Mrs Forgetful,

I know you said you were aware about coloured lenses but wondered if you'd checked out Ian Jordan's website (google "Jordans eyes") as the equipment and filters he uses are very different to Irlens. He treated my sons for faceblindness but the younger also had dyslexia and tracking problems which were helped greatly by his specs.

(Sorry if not relevent to your ds's case!)

Tessa

def worth googling "visual stress" even if they are not able to dx dyslexia or irlene syndrome it msy be thst the things they recommend would help visual stress

Thankyou ALL so much....

The nearest BABO is only 1 hour away.... I say only.... DS does not like long car journeys...this would be long to him! He also hates unfamiliar journeys....

However....If getting an NHS referral proves too difficult....I'd take him on a train to that BABO centre....he'd enjoy the 'adventure' more as I'd be able to do him a 'journey planner' with times & names of station stops...though unfamiliar...the journey would be more precise than any car journey!!!

Stressa What prompted you go to go to Jordans? It's something I've thought about but I'm not sure if there's enough 'need' for it for DS. His reading is OK and he doesn't complain about text moving. But he has AS and the typical problems with prioperception, bumping, short term memory, sensory issues.

I've heard such good things about them but I don't know if I'm just being desperate for a new treatment (as he's tried various things).

This is gonna be long....

DS had an assessment with our local hospital orthoptist for dyslexia who said there was a problem and recommended that we try colourimetry but they couldn't do it on NHS.

We were investigating and had heard good things about IJ on other forums - our main criteria was for approach (ds2 5 yo very difficult to handle at that time!). IJ was based nearby then so we gave him a try.

DS overwhelmed and uncooperative but whist chatting with IJ I mentioned my probs finding way around and he asked to screen me - with green light of a certain wavelength I saw faces properly (see my posts in chat if interested).

My own experience convinced me (am aware this doesn't mean it'd work for everybody). Returned to IJ 2 years later (long trek to Ayr now!)when ds ready - assessed and colured lenses.

Ds had recently had another assessment at our local hospital with head orthoptist - tracking problems and dyslexia - exercises recommended (which we didn't start as wanted see how specs helped). Repeat check a few weeks later with his blue specs and she was amazed and discharged him!saying no need for exercises.

He wore specs approx 6-9 months intermittently - still struggles a bit with reading but tracks so much better and the letters have stopped moving around! He's also much happier to look at books (was very turned off before) and write. Also recognises faces a lot more (used to go by clothes).

DS treated on NHS so travel costs were all we had to pay. Its worth phoning Ian - he can sometimes recommend people nearer if Ayr too far but they need correct equipment and training - its not same as Irlen screening.

Sorry for long essay!
Tessa

Thanks Tessa. Ayr is miles away (we're in SE!) but I'd make the trip as part of a holiday if I thought it would be worth it (and better than someone down here). DS did go for an Irlen assessment locally but was uncooperative. But he does read well and a lot of her questions seemed to be focused on that.

I'll give him a ring and ask some more questions, he does sound very helpful.