Visual Processing Disorders by Age Group

By: National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) (2003)

Basics you should know about visual processing disorders

Visual processing disorders are also known as visual perceptual processing disorders
They affect how the brain perceives and processes what the eye sees
These disorders can occur without impaired vision of any kind
Like all learning disabilities, visual processing disorders can be a lifelong challenge
People with visual processing disorders have problems with the way they interpret information, but what others will notice in people with these disorders is the behavior that happens after the difficulties occur
There are several types of visual processing disorders, each affecting different aspects of visual information processing — see Visual Processing Disorders in Detail for more information

Visual Processing Disorders at Different Ages

Many people experience problems with learning and behavior occasionally, but if a person consistently displays difficulties with these tasks over time, testing for visual processing disorders by trained professionals should be considered.

Early Childhood

Common difficulties:

Misunderstanding or confusing written symbols (example: +, x, /, &)
Easily distracted, especially by competing visual information
Writing within margins or on lines or aligning numbers in math problems
Judging distances (example: bumping into things, placing objects too close to an edge)
Fluidity of movement (example: getting out of the way of a moving ball, knocking things over)
Differentiating colors or similarly shaped letters and numbers (example: b, d; p, q; 6,9; 2,5)

Accommodation and modification strategies

Use books, worksheets and other materials with enlarged print
Read written directions aloud. Varying teaching methods (written and spoken words; images and sounds) can help promote understanding
Be aware of the weakness but don't overemphasize it. While helping a child work on the weakness is important; it is just as important to build other skills and function in any setting
Break assignments and chores into clear, concise steps. Often multiple steps can be difficult to visualize and complete
Give examples and point out the important details of visual information (the part of a picture that contains information for a particular question)
Provide information about a task before starting to focus attention on the activity

School-Age Children

Common difficulties:

Organizing and solving math problems
Finding and retaining important information in reading assignments or tests
Writing coherent, well-organized essays
Copying from board or books
Sewing or other types of fine motor activities
Writing neatly and quickly
Reading with speed and precision

Accommodation and modification strategies:

Allow student to write answers on the same sheet of paper as the questions or offer opportunities for student to explain answers orally
Provide paper for writing and math work that has darker or raised lines to make the boundaries more distinct
Organize assignments to be completed in smaller steps instead of one large finished product
Use a ruler as a reading guide (to keep focus on one line at a time) and a highlighter (to immediately emphasize important information)
Provide a tape recorder to supplement note-taking
Have a proofreading buddy for notes and essays

Teenagers and Adults

Common difficulties:

Accurately identifying information from pictures, charts, graphs, maps, etc.
Organizing information from different sources into one cohesive document
Finding specific information on a printed page (example: getting a number out of the phone book)
Remembering directions to a location

Accommodation and modification strategies:

Color code important information
Have a proof-reading buddy for all written materials
Use a tape recorder when getting important information
Before writing letters or essays, create an outline to simplify and organize ideas