Visual difficulties questionnaire
Being told that you have a specific learning difficulty (SpLD) is a lifelong diagnosis and we need to make sure that the outcome of the assessment is accurate. We ask that everyone being assessed has had an eyesight test in the 2 years leading up to the assessment date.
Sometimes, visual difficulties aren't picked up in a standard eyesight test so the test might come back as 'normal' yet children/adults complain that the text is blurry, etc. In fact, 25% of the population is thought to experience some level of visual discomfort/disturbances when they read so we ask that these symptoms are explored and treated first if necessary. Otherwise, for example, difficulties with reading accurately and fluently might mistakenly be associated with dyslexia yet there's actually a medical matter causing it.
The symptoms in the table below are not connected to having dyslexia.
Please read though the questions below and, if booking for your child, ask them these questions.
Please note that these are about symptoms which are experienced OFTEN (i.e., persistent, occurring several times a week). If they're not experienced often, please answer "no".
Even if wearing glasses or contact lenses | NO | YES |
|---|---|---|
1. Do you often get headaches when you read or study? | ||
2. Do your eyes often feel sore or gritty or watery? | ||
3. Does reading from white paper or from a bright screen often feel uncomfortable? | ||
4. Does print often appear blurred or go in and out of focus when you read? | ||
5. Does the print or the book or the screen often appear double when you are reading? | ||
6. Do words often seem to move or merge when you are reading? | ||
7. Do objects in the distance often appear more blurred after you have been reading? | ||
8. Do you often have to screw up your eyes to see more clearly when you are reading? | ||
9. Do you often move your eyes around or blink to make things clearer or more comfortable when you are reading? | ||
10. Do you experience any problems with your vision that interfere with your ability to read or study? |
All questions answered 'no'?
Great! you can go ahead and book the specific learning difficulties assessment with Sarah. The above questions will also be in the questionnaire that you'll be asked to complete. Please still book an eyesight test if it hasn't been done in the past 2 years.
One or more questions answered 'yes'?
You can still go ahead and book the full diagnostic assessment if your responses are likely to be a reason not related to visual difficulties, such as you/your child finding reading extremely tiring because it's hard to process information or if you/your child has difficulties with concentration that also impacts reading.
However, if several of these are experienced OFTEN and/or it's likely that visual difficulties are being experienced (even if a recent eyesight test comes back as 'fine'), it's very highly recommended that you first seek an assessment with an optician/optometrist. You could look into these visual difficulties first so that they can be treated and then book in with me. Alternatively, you can go ahead and book with me but choose a date far enough ahead that allows time for these symptoms to be explored. You will be able to reschedule the appointment with me if the optometrist/optician advises pushing it back.
PLEASE CONTACT SARAH TO DISCUSS IF YOU'RE IN DOUBT.