Occupational Therapy
-vs-
Vision Therapy
A common misunderstanding is that I provide Vision Therapy here at Vision-n-Motion Occupational Therapy. Here is what to know when considering therapeutic services for your child.
What is Vision Therapy?
Vision Therapy is a treatment program carried out by a Neuro- or Developmental Optometrist and/or Vision Therapist who works directly under the Optometric doctor. Vision Therapy aims at teaching the brain how to control and coordinate the eyes together to achieve clear and comfortable vision. These therapists utilize tools such as lenses, prisms, filters, Syntonics (light therapy), occluders, and other equipment to promote efficiency in eye movements and visual processing.
Your child may benefit from Vision Therapy if they:
Read below grade level
Have poor reading comprehension
Lose place and/or omit words while reading
Reverse letters such as b, d, p, q
Have difficulty maintaining attention
Have difficulty changing focus from distance to near and back again
Have poor judgment of depth
Messy handwriting
...to name a few
Physical symptoms Vision Therapy can help with:
Headaches after reading
Poor eye-hand coordination
Constant squinting/head tilting
Poor posture when reading or writing
Turning of an eye in or out, up or down
Tendency to cover or close one eye
Complaints of double vision
Difficulty following a moving target
Dizziness or motion sickness
...among others
https://www.optometrists.org/vision-therapy/guide-to-vision-therapy/what-is-vision-therapy/
What is Occupational Therapy Vision Rehabilitation?
OT Vision Rehabilitation is a program carried out by a trained occupational therapist, who is working in collaboration with a Neuro- or Developmental Optometrist. OT Vision Rehabilitation aims at teaching the brain how to control and coordinate the eyes together to allow for independent, efficient, and successful completion of daily occupations. These therapists utilize tools such as swings, balance boards, party blowers, games, etc. within the context of play and occupation-based activities to support the highest level of skill/task achievement.
Your child may benefit from therapy at Vision-n-Motion Occupational Therapy if they:
Loses place and/or omits words while reading
Reverse letters such as b, d, p, q
Difficulty maintaining attention
Poor judgment of depth
Messy handwriting
Moves head with eyes to look, rather than only using eyes
Runs into people and objects frequently
Has poor coordination
Cannot locate things within their environment
...to name a few
Physical symptoms therapy at Vision-n-Motion Occupational Therapy can help with:
Headaches after reading
Poor eye-hand coordination
Constant squinting/head tilting
Poor posture when reading or writing
Tendency to cover or close one eye
Complaints of double vision
Difficulty following a moving target
Dizziness or motion sickness
Emotional dysregulation
...among others
OT Vision Rehabilitation and Vision Therapy are complementary therapies. For some children, these two approaches should be carried out simultaneously; while others may benefit from beginning with OT to support foundational skills needed for higher-level skills learned in Vision Therapy. With the support of extensive training in vision therapy tools, OT at Vision-n-Motion Occupational Therapy may utilize specialized tools such as prisms, occlusion, etc. when under the direct care of and in collaboration with your child's Optometrist.
Vision-n-Motion Occupational Therapy holds a collaborative relationship with a number of highly talented and phenomenal Neuro- and Developmental Optometrists in Rapid City and the surrounding areas. Together, we work to ensure your child has the best care in developing functional vision skills needed for academic learning, safety in play, maintaining a calm regulated state, and ultimately "Joie de Vivre". Below, you can find links to these amazing Optometrists!
Dr. Shane Clark: Infinity Eyecare
Dr. Jared Pearson: Vision Source Specialists
Dr. Antwan Randolph: Eye Love Spearfish