The Importance of Visual Skills
School classrooms give information mainly in auditory ways- in fact, it's 60% auditory! Because of this, we tend to focus on auditory skills and learning, but we can't forget how important visual skills are- especially when it comes to reading and math. Visual processing has less to do with eyesight or vision and more to do with how the brain processes the visual information. So while eyesight could be practically perfect, someone may still struggle to learn from visual information- this is where we start to look for a Visual Processing Disorder (VPD). There are a variety of ways a VPD can impact learning, but the following six skills see the greatest difficulties when there is a disorder.
1. Visual Discrimination
The ability to notice and compare the features of different items in order to distinguish one item from another.
Some possible difficulties:
- Seeing the difference between two similar letters, shapes or objects causing reading a spelling difficulties
- Noticing the similarities and differences between certain colors, shapes and patterns and eventually words
2. Visual Sequencing
The ability to see and distinguish the order of symbols, words or images
Some possible difficulties:
- Using a separate answer sheet
- Staying in the right place while reading a paragraph. Example: skipping lines, reading the same line over and over
- Reversing or misreading letters, numbers and words
- Understanding math equations and what is being asked by the configuration
- Accurately identifying information from pictures, charts, graphs, maps, etc.
- Organizing information from different sources into one cohesive document
3. Visual Figure-Ground Discrimination
The ability to discriminate a shape or printed character from its background.
Some possible difficulties:
- Finding a specific bit of information on a printed page full of words and numbers
- Seeing an image within a competing background
- Attending to high-contrast visual information
4. Visual Memory
The ability to recall something seen, either in the past (long-term memory) or the ability to remember something seen very recently. (short-term memory.)
Some possible difficulties:
- Remembering the spelling of familiar words that have irregular spelling
- Reading comprehension, even on an easy-to-read passage
- Trying to use a calculator or keyboard with speed and accuracy
- Remembering phone numbers, details in pictures
5. Visual Motor Processing
The ability to use feedback from the eyes to coordinate the movement of other parts of the body.
Some possible difficulties:
- Moving around without bumping into things
- Writing within lines or margins of a piece of paper
- Copying from a board or book
- Art or building tasks
- Handwriting
- Aligning numbers in math problems
- Participating in sports that require well-timed and precise movements in space
6. Spatial Relationships
The ability to understand how objects are positioned in space in relation to oneself. This involves the understanding of distance (near or far), as well as the relationship of objects and characters described on paper or in a spoken narrative.
Some possible difficulties:
- Getting from one place to another, following directions
- Speaking too close to another person
- Spacing letters and words on paper
- Judging time
- Reading maps
- Judging distances such as bumping into things, placing objects too close to an edge
- Fluidity of movement such as getting out of the way of a moving ball, knocking things over
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