If your child is showing signs of reading or learning difficulties, you should begin by having them undergo a thorough examination by an experienced pediatric ophthalmologist. Vision problems very commonly contribute to classroom difficulties, such as nearsightedness preventing your child from seeing the board or convergence insufficiency making it difficult to line the eyes up properly on words on a page. While not all classroom difficulties are caused by vision problems, it is appropriate to rule out the possibility as a first course of action.
To learn a bit more about how vision problems and learning difficulties interact, click here.
If you wish to read the rather extensive policy statement on the issue, please click here. This is a joint policy statement for learning disabilities, dyslexia, and vision by the American Academy of Pediatrics (Section on Ophthalmology, Council on Children with Disabilities), the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Association of Certified Orthoptists.
