VISUAL FIELD DEFECTS 1



Since I had linked the sites for the visual field defects, I had thought it might be good to add that when a parent ask, "So how do you help a child, if glasses won't fix this?", one of the best things I think that I have realized by looking at the examples of what objects might appear to look like from the viewpoint of the child with the defect, is the realization of how important it is to SLOW down what you are presenting to a child.

They need to have time to be able to have the muscles move the way they should and to have time to "find" the keyhole that they need to look through "so to speak".

If the presented objects come and go too quickly then their learning is impaired due to not getting sufficient time to "recognize" the presented objects. The other important aspect of helping the "recognition" process is to be very verbal. The descriptive aspect helps to make sense of what a child is trying to recognize.

The whole problem of slowing down presentation is more of a problem from other people, doctors, therapists, friends, etc. I find myself telling people that you will need to give Evan time to respond or time to assess. I understand that most people don't grasp that this is what Evan needs but it makes me a little wacky when the doctors and therapists have to be told more than once.

It is not a matter of her cognitive understanding needing time but a matter of giving her the time to gain volitional control over her muscles (eyes, mouth, arms, hands, etc.) She literally has to WILL the specific muscle to work the way she wants it too and that takes a little more time than the average person.

Bet you guys have been there more than once or twice.

Sincerely,
Joan