Educational performance relies to a great extent on processing visual and auditory information. A normal eye test addressess this in a basic way, it does not addresst how information is processed, and yet this is of paramount importance in educational achievement.

Whilst some some schools address visual dyslexia it is rare to find a teacher with significant knowledge of this area. Overlay (using coloured acetates or rulers with coloured bands) assessments are NOT even near good enough. Pragmatically using them for up to a week is OK in an emergency. Please encourage your teachers to get sufficient knowledge.

For the last 20 years we have been involved in research and development of techniques to improve visual performance and as a result of this we feel that it is vital to have instruments that are more advanced than any others in Scotland. The effects are often dramatic.



                                                                                             

Results include

In pilot study with a Perth and Kinross LEA of 120 children aged 8/9.
25% children treated

Average improvement in reading age 1.33 years in 1 week
Symptoms reduced by over half.

(presented at International Special Educational Needs Conference 2005.
With thanks to Win Wood and Sandra Paterson for their help)

Other trials with other LEAs in progress / planned

BEST EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE 

Screening by a parent or class teacher (see book download)
Higher level of screening by trained specialist teacher - please note that using overlays / rulers is a very poor method of screening and cannot be described as good practice. Don't accept except as an interim / emergency technique.
Assesment by profesional where required