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Visual Perception
DEVELOPMENTAL DISTURBANCES AND LEARNING DIFFICULTIES ARE OFTEN CAUSED BY VISUAL PROCESSING DISORDERS.
When children show developmental disturbances and learning difficulties, it is very important to provide the best prerequisites for a clear vision and consequently also for learning the cultural techniques (reading, writing, counting). A child’s general development is essentially fostered by visual stimulation.
A thorough ophthalmologic-orthoptic examination is necessary to rule out an abnormal processing of visual stimuli as their cause. If eye diseases can be ruled out and the children provided with glasses if necessary, consideration should be given to disorders of the visual perception or to the eye-hand coordination.
HOW DOES THE BRAIN PROCESS INFORMATION?
The optical intake of information is a very complex procedure. Usually, the visually or acoustically perceived objects are instantly captured as a memory in the brain. Every new visual or acoustic stimulus causes a comparison between the new image or sound and the memory of them and is subsequently categorised as known or unknown. In this way, we gradually develop a wealth of experience which in turn gives us a feeling of security.
WHAT CHANGES IN THE CASE OF A SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER?
A distinction is made between visual and auditory processing disorders depending on the location of the disorder in the brain. If the visual memory is affected, objects that are perfectly perceived with the eyes, are memorized in the brain in a deficient quality, which is comparable with a blurred photograph. When the eyes perceive this object the next time, the brain is only able to call up a rather vague memory. The object that had already been memorized seems unknown, entirely new or might not be recognised clearly.
This often causes confusion of letters and numerals similar in shape, such as b and p, p and q or 6 and 9.
A poor eye-hand coordination can also affect the learning of the written language and/or counting.
WHAT IS THE REGULAR PROCEDURE?
Standardised or informal perception tests that are aligned with the child’s age can be conducted.
Before the respective tests are conducted, a special survey on the kind of abnormalities and developmental disturbances and learning difficulties takes place.
WHY IS THE EARLY DETECTION OF A SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER SO IMPORTANT?
Early and differentiated diagnostics of sensory processing disorders makes it possible to detect developmental disturbances and difficulties learning to read, write and count and to treat the affected children early enough.
The patient can only be treated pointedly when the cause for their health issue is known.