Wow Vision Therapy Blog

Parents of elementary school-age children who struggle with reading often notice persistent letter reversals, such as confusing ‘b’ and ‘d’ or ‘p’ and ‘q.’ Additionally, these children may demonstrate sequencing errors, such as miswriting “saw” as “was” or “no” as “on.” Their handwriting may appear spatially disorganized, making their written work difficult to read. Understandably, these concerns often raise the question: Does my child have dyslexia?

While dyslexia is commonly associated with reading difficulties, frequent letter reversals are primarily linked to deficits in visual processing, particularly in visual-spatial relationships. This distinction is crucial in guiding children toward the right interventions. At Wow Vision Therapy, we aim to bring awareness to the role of visual processing in reading difficulties and how vision therapy can help.

Understanding Visual Processing and Its Impact on Reading

Reading is a complex skill that involves both phonological (sound-based) and visual processing abilities. When a child struggles with recognizing letter orientations and sequences, it often stems from delays in their visual-spatial processing skills. Research has shown that children with underdeveloped visual processing abilities may experience difficulties in reading fluency, letter recognition, and eidetic (visual) word memory. If a child is developmentally behind in visual processing, they are likely to be developmentally behind in reading as well.

This condition is sometimes referred to as developmental dyslexia, which is distinct from dysphonetic dyslexia. Developmental dyslexia is heavily linked to visual processing deficits, while dysphonetic dyslexia relates to phonological processing difficulties, such as trouble associating sounds with letters and sounding out words.

Why a General Eye Exam is Not Enough

Many parents are reassured when their child passes a general eye examination, believing that good eyesight rules out vision-related reading difficulties. However, a standard eye exam primarily assesses eye health, refractive errors (such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism), and the need for corrective lenses. It does not evaluate visual processing abilities—the brain’s ability to interpret and make sense of visual information.

For any child exhibiting frequent letter reversals, a comprehensive developmental vision evaluation, including an assessment of visual processing, is essential. This specialized testing goes beyond checking eyesight and examines how the child processes and organizes visual information.

The Role of Vision Therapy in Addressing Letter Reversals

At Wow Vision Therapy, we provide office-based optometric vision therapy to address visual processing deficits. Through evidence-based treatment, we help children develop the necessary visual-spatial awareness and sequencing skills for reading success. Our therapy programs are individualized to target the specific areas of difficulty, such as:

• Visual-spatial processing
• Eye tracking and coordination
• Visual memory and recognition
• Letter and word orientation awareness

By improving these foundational visual skills, children gain the ability to recognize letters and words correctly, reducing letter reversals and improving reading fluency.

Comprehensive Reports for School Support

At Wow Vision Therapy, our comprehensive developmental vision evaluations include a 7-9 page written report detailing:

• The results of the visual processing assessment
• Specific areas of difficulty and how they impact reading
• A recommended treatment plan
• A detailed list of accommodations to support learning

This report can be a valuable tool for parents and educators, as it provides objective documentation of the child’s visual processing challenges. It can also serve as critical support for an existing IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or 504 Plan to ensure the child receives the accommodations they need in the classroom.

Collaboration with Educational Therapists and Tutors

Vision therapy alone is powerful, but when combined with educational therapy and tutoring, the results are even more significant. Many educational professionals find that their students make faster and more lasting progress when their visual processing deficits are addressed through vision therapy. By collaborating with teachers and learning specialists, we help create an integrated approach to support the child’s academic success.

Conclusion: Seeking the Right Help

If your child is struggling with letter reversals and reading challenges, don’t assume dyslexia is the sole explanation. A comprehensive developmental vision evaluation can uncover whether visual processing deficits are the underlying issue.

At Wow Vision Therapy, we are committed to helping children develop the visual readiness they need for reading success. If you suspect your child may have visual processing challenges, contact us today to schedule an evaluation. Together, we can help your child overcome reading difficulties and achieve their full potential!

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FOVDR