Visual Descrimination

By Dr. Russel Lazarus
descrim

Has your child been told they have a learning difficulty? It could be a visual discrimination problem.

Visual discrimination is the ability to determine similarities and differences between various things, a skill that helps a child understand and appreciate the subtle differences in words.

This skill is especially important for learning how to read and write.

Schedule an evaluation with a vision therapy eye doctor who can help improve any visual problems your child may have.

SEE RELATED: Visual Memory

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What is visual discrimination?

Visual discrimination is the ability to recognize similarities and differences between colors, size, shapes, patterns and objects.

Good visual discrimination prevents a child from confuses similar looking words.

For example, when reading, it’s visual discrimination that enables them to understand that the words “spring” and “spin” are different even though they have the similar letters.

Signs of poor visual discrimination

Your child might have trouble with visual discrimination, if they exhibit the following visual processing symptoms:

  • Confuses letters and numbers
  • Loses their place while reading aloud
  • Trouble enjoying activities like puzzles or reading
  • Trouble finding information during open book quizzes
  • Trouble picking out details and differences

If you suspect a problem in your child’s vision, contact an eye doctor near you, to have your child’s vision evaluated.

How vision therapy can help

Vision therapy can improve visual discrimination skills through eye exercises that help retrain the eyes and brain to work together. These exercises will not only improve a child’s visual discrimination issue, but help them improve their reading skills so that learning can be easier and fun.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Vision and Learning Difficulties

Schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat any vision problems your child may have.