VT Works

Since I’ve been away from blogging, I have a few mailbags worth of questions in the queue. Let’s begin with these. Cheers!

My son is 9 years old, has been in vision therapy about 3 months, and our therapist has him working mostly on primitive reflexes. A book I’m reading explains how reflex integration can address many different issues that affect my son. Have you seen reflex integration really help?

— Stacey M., Chicago, IL

Oddly enough, I’m in an entirely renewed path of learning reflexes myself. I’ve been working on reflex integration since 2005, and with some more challenging patients recently, have been reading, re-reading, and reaching out to people who know far more on the subject than I do. Like anything else in the therapeutic world, my sense is there’s no “one size fits all” solution, but integration of primitive reflexes has been the key to unlocking so much positive progress in my patients. If your son has been prescribed a regimen of integrative exercises, asking his doctor to explain is more than fair.

Are Pencil Pushups really effective?

— Michael F., Sparks, NV

Based on the timing of your question submission, Michael, I’m assuming you’re relating this to recent a Facebook post which referred to Pencil Pushups being ineffective. I actually posted something here not too long ago on the subject.

Sadly, many people who view the results of the CITT study showing Pencil Pushups to be ineffective take the results out of context. In and of itself, without the proper guidance or increased awareness, one could argue any activity is ineffective.  It would be similar to learning a few random words in another language without knowing how to use them and somehow being expected to understand the language.  You may be able to say them and perhaps even spell them, but without being taught an awareness of their proper context or placement in a conversation, those words really don’t mean much. Same is true with Vision Therapy. I think the thing to remember with all activities, Pencil Pushups included, is the value is not in the activity itself; instead, it’s in the essence of each movement and the understanding gained through each process which counts. In the proper context and within a well guided hierarchical path, Pencil Pushups can be quite effective. If you’re so inclined, this post goes into it more.

I’m a collegiate athlete and am interested in sports therapy. Do you know if there are vision clinics dedicated specifically to sports vision?

— Lalo S., Miami, FL.

Lalo, you are a man after my own heart! Sports therapy has long been an area in which I’d like to do more work! In answer to your question, I’m not familiar with any vision clinics specifically dedicated to only sports vision, but don’t let my ignorance discourage you. My suggestion would be to find Vision Therapy offices close to you and inquire.  If they do not work on sports therapy, hopefully they will be able to steer you in the right direction.

My 9 year old son was diagnosed with amblyopia in his right eye.  After I shared this diagnosis with this teacher, she told me amblyopia caused kids to learn and think slower. Can you tell me why?

— Marlee S., Eugene, OR.

Since you found my blog, I’ll assume you have also heard of vision therapy and hopefully considered enrolling your son. That would be the first step.

In terms of Amblyopia affecting cognitive ability, it would seem to be a stretch. I’m not aware of any such direct connection. With vision being our primary input system, certainly Amblyopia will have an impact on our abilities to achieve optimal acuity or to achieve maximum stereopsis, but neither of those directly affect thinking. Having said that, it’s important to understand Amblyopia can affect your son’s ability to accurately collect visual information and maybe even to make spatial judgments. If you haven’t already done so, I would ask your son’s Developmental Optometrist for their input.

I asked this a few months ago and now I’m checking back. Do you think you will be hosting another primitive reflex course in your new office?

— Chelsey W., Peachtree City, GA

Things are in the works, Chelsey. Stay tuned! In the last few months I’ve relocated my home and my job(s) so writing and teaching has taken a backseat.  This class is still on my radar though. Patience, friend!

I’m concerned about the information circulating on social media about vision therapy. I follow several Facebook pages and some of the conclusions parents get to are just flat wrong. I want to help them but don’t know what to do. Have any ideas?

— Anonymous

I think it was Abraham Lincoln who said less than 50% of what we read on the internet is true, right?

It’s worth mentioning off the top that I share your concerns and I maintain the hope that those handing out medical advice are indeed qualified to do so. Although I hope everyone means well, it can be difficult to decipher the qualified professionals from those wanting to insert ideas they discovered on Google. Many conversations I’ve observed have began as simple questions, make a few sudden turns, and end up somewhere completely different in fairly short order.  As much as this may be frustrating, alas it is the internet, and sadly the human race tends to feel an unparalleled level of bravery and expertise when seated behind a keyboard. I’ve learned that in many ways social media can become an emotional suck if we let it, so participate at your own risk.