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Is Your Child Running in “30-Pound Shoes” at School?

Published on
September 23, 2024
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Is Your Child Running in “30-Pound Shoes” at School? Many children struggle with reading and school, and it’s often assumed they have learning disabilities like ADHD or dyslexia. However, Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD explains that before jumping to conclusions, we need to check if those children are “running in 30-pound shoes.” What does this mean? It refers to the impact of poor visual skills on learning—eye tracking, teaming, and other visual issues make schoolwork harder than it should be, like running in heavy shoes.

Vision And Behaviour (logo) (56)Why Visual Skills Matter for Learning

Visual skills are essential for reading, writing, and focusing in school. These skills include eye tracking (moving smoothly across a page), eye teaming (working together to focus on objects), and neurocognitive abilities that help process visual information. When these skills are underdeveloped, children may struggle to keep up in class, even if they are bright and capable. Children with poor visual skills may be labeled as having ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning disorders when, in fact, their struggles stem from how their eyes work. It’s like running with heavy shoes on—everything is harder than it should be.

How Vision Therapy Can Help

Vision therapy is a personalized treatment program designed to improve visual skills like eye tracking and teaming. Through a series of exercises, children strengthen their eye muscles, improve coordination, and reduce the strain that makes school difficult. For example, we recently worked with a 10-year-old from Lexington who had been struggling with reading for years. After completing a vision therapy program, his reading improved significantly, and he no longer experienced the same frustrations with schoolwork.

Should You Consider Vision Therapy?

If your child is struggling with reading or school, a developmental vision exam could provide the answers you’ve been looking for. By addressing visual skill deficits, you can help your child perform better in school without the added “30-pound shoes.”

Schedule a Vision Evaluation Today

At Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD provides comprehensive developmental vision exams and therapy programs to help children improve their visual skills and excel in school. With offices in Versailles and Somerset, we serve families across Central and Southern Kentucky. To schedule an appointment, call us at 859-879-0089 or visit https://nvpinstitute.com/
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