Developmental Optometry

If, at some point, in the last five years, I had actually heard this term, I had not ever really considered what it might mean. But, lately, it's become a big part of my life - and Ben's.

Ben just finished his Pre-K year. He is liked by his friends and teachers, enjoys math and science and pretend. He's musical and silly. A pretty typical 5 year old.

But Ben was struggling with reading. Oh, he knew his sight words. He memorized them each week. So long as he was not the first child called upon during class to read from the board, he was golden. Got them all correct.

On good days, he could read the words, even if mixed up, on the board. But, in his book and on a worksheet - not so good.

I don't believe that children don't want to learn. I sincerely believe that they all have the desire to know more. They are naturally curious. So, I was not buying into any notion of "Ben's not trying hard enough". Ben was fortunate to have two outstanding teachers who completely understood that more was going on than just a resistance and frustration with reading.

So, his fabulous, wonderful and amazing OT began assessing Ben for a visual perception difficulty. This was not just identifying letters or words. This was visual memory, perception, spatial relationships. All kinds of things I take for granted. After weeks of assessment, Ben's OT realized that he was struggling with horizontal tracking, convergence and divergence. She referred us to a development optometrist who also confirmed that Ben's left eye is far weaker than his right eye.

Dr. G has now put Ben in glasses. The glasses do help, but, of course, Ben is not interested in wearing glasses on a daily basis during the summer. He's firmly in "play mode". He starts enrichment camps tomorrow and I will insist on the glasses being worn. Hopefully, we will be able to get him in the habit before he starts K in August. I *sigh* here because most of you know that Ben only does what Ben wants to when he wants to. I should have named him Benjamin I-must-control-all-things-within-my-universe Suhs. He would have at least been self-explanatory.

Ben is also going to Vision Therapy twice a week. He's not wild about going but once he's there he likes it just fine. I think it just disrupts his day and makes his brain tired. It makes my brain tired, too. And my wallet (ugh).

Oh, what causes this? Who knows. Dr. G and I discussed the post-institutional aspect of Ben's case. I asked him if he thought Ben's issue was due to lack of visual stimulation in the baby house. Dr. G has worked with children for 30 years and absolutely feels that physical or emotional trauma affects brain development and can stunt the growth in particular areas. So, the huge changes in Ben's life during the first year could be as responsible for this condition as a genetic predisposition. Another reason in my mind for a birth family search.

Whew. I feel better now that I have posted and can push the "you better start blogging again" monkey, uh, I mean, L, off my back. Luv ya L.

I am about halfway through No Riding in the House without a Helmet by Melissa Fay Greene. I am very interested in seeing how it all develops. Really fascinated by how Jesse (adopted from Bulgaria) blends into the family.