Children's Vision Problems: Does it Seem Like ADHD?
As a parent, it can be hard to watch your child struggle academically and not know how to help. At Kelly Vision Center, we’ve seen how visual issues often manifest as symptoms of learning difficulties. In fact, 40% of children diagnosed with learning disabilities have uncorrected vision problems. Could these uncorrected vision problems be the reason behind their academic challenges? When it comes to vision and academic challenges it’s a question of causation vs correlation. Our experienced optometrists in Goodlettsville are here to help you understand and address these concerns so your child can thrive in school and beyond.
Could It Be a Vision Problem?
Children with functional vision problems may have trouble reading, focusing, or tracking words on a page, even if they have 20/20 vision. Eye teaming, tracking, and perceptual issues can cause words or letters to appear as if they’re moving or jumping, leading to struggles that may seem like dyslexia but actually stem from vision problems. This can often cause them to lose their place while reading which leads to homework, tests, exams and reading assignments taking longer than expected.
In many cases, what looks like dyslexia or other learning disorders disappears or reduces once vision-related problems like eye tracking and teaming are addressed. However, there are instances where both dyslexia and vision disorders coexist. A thorough assessment is essential to rule out or confirm vision problems as part of the puzzle.
Vision Problems vs. ADHD
Vision problems can also mimic symptoms of ADHD. Difficulty focusing, restlessness, and short attention spans—both in and out of the classroom—are common in children with untreated vision issues. These symptoms occur because the brain struggles to process the large amounts of visual information needed to perform daily tasks.
Good vision in children is essential for their academic success with 80% of learning in children being visual.
Some children may be more prone to surges of behavioral issues at school than at home because the visual overload/demand at home is much less than in the classroom.
While ADHD has distinct symptoms, such as excessive fidgeting or difficulty playing quietly, it’s essential to rule out vision problems before pursuing other diagnoses. A comprehensive developmental vision evaluation (DVE) is the most effective way to eliminate uncertainty and determine whether a vision disorder is the root cause of your child’s challenges or contributing to their struggles.
Symptom Checklist: Is Your Child Struggling with Visual Dysfunction?
If your child experiences any of the following, they may have an underlying vision problem:
- Frequent headaches or eye strain
- Complains of words "jumping" or "moving" on the page
- Squinting, covering one eye, or tilting their head while reading
- Difficulty keeping their place when reading
- Short attention span during tasks that involve close work
- Struggles with reading comprehension or reverses letters and numbers
- Avoids reading or other close-up tasks
- Uses a finger to track words while reading
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it's time to consider that your child’s difficulties could be vision related.
The Importance of a Comprehensive Vision Evaluation
At Kelly Vision Center, we offer comprehensive developmental vision evaluations that go beyond standard eye exams. These assessments test all critical visual skills that impact your child’s daily life in the classroom and beyond, ensuring that any underlying vision disorders are identified and treated appropriately.
If your child has been struggling with reading, concentration, or other visual tasks, don’t hesitate to act. Schedule a comprehensive visual evaluation with Kelly Vision Center to ensure your child has the necessary visual skills to succeed.
