Contact Our Vision Therapists
If you, your child, or someone you know might benefit from vision therapy please call us today at 715-381-1234 or 800-428-2399 or email the Vision Therapists. We are happy to answer questions about our vision therapy program.
Here’s what parents have to say about the program.
His reading has improved dramatically. The vision therapy has improved his hand/eye coordination and has helped him in his everyday life. His baseball playing has really improved and he was very proud that he could catch a ball! I highly recommend this program.
- Melissa M.
I am absolutely amazed at the progress. His teacher says his attitude has greatly improved and Mike no longer complains about headaches. His schoolwork is much easier and his piano skills have improved! Altogether he’s much more confident in all areas of life and not frustrated with life anymore! We love the therapist and the kindness, diligence and helpfulness we have received.
- Laura J.
Tom and I are very happy with the results of the program. We feel the program is worth the time and money. Our daughter loved working with the therapist and her results were excellent. We are fortunate to have this center in Western Wisconsin. We recommend it highly!
- Rundie M.
For more information about the benefits of Vision Therapy please visit the following websites:
www.covd.org
www.visiontherapy.org
www.doctorsvisioncenter.com
www.children-special-needs.org
www.vision3d.com
www.optometrists.org
www.braininjuries.org
www.add-adhd.org
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Vision Therapy Program
Vision therapy is an individualized set of activities and procedures designed to improve visual skills and reading performance. Based on the results from the comprehensive vision exam and the visual processing evaluation, the doctor will decide if vision therapy is appropriate. The doctor may recommend anywhere from 8-32 sessions of vision therapy depending on the type and severity of difficulties detected.
Our vision therapy is one-on-one and is likely to involve 1 or 2 sessions per week of individualized office-based therapy. The vision therapist will also prescribe activities to be worked on at home in between therapy sessions.
At the conclusion of the vision therapy program, the patient is re-evaluated to determine how much progress has been made. For most patients, we expect an average of a 2-year gain in the processing areas targeted during vision therapy.
We are extremely pleased to offer a unique program that helps children overcome visually-related learning problems. We have worked with thousands of patients in Western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Meet Our Vision Therapists
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Amber Konop |
Pam Nazer |
Multi-sensory Language Therapy
Some patients also suffer from reading disabilities. In such instances the primary cause for reading problems may be a genetic type of dyslexia with visual problems only contributing to the overall difficulty. For these patients it is important to eliminate visual problems with vision therapy and then address the specific reading disability directly with written language therapy or special education.
At Christenson Vision Care, we offer help for those with dyslexia by providing an alternative approach. Recent research shows that those with such reading disabilities are most beneficially affected when exposed to a structured, sequential, multi-sensory, phonetic written language program.
Vision Therapy’s 3-Step Process
At Christenson Vision Care we use a 3-step process to ensure that vision therapy is appropriate for you or your child.
STEP 1: Schedule a Comprehensive Vision Exam (CVE) with one of our doctors.
STEP 2: Based on the doctor’s findings and the patient’s symptoms, a Visual Processing Evaluation (VPE) may be recommended. This evaluation is done on a different day with one of our vision therapists.
STEP 3: Schedule a consultation to discuss the findings of the CVE, VPE and the doctor’s recommendations regarding therapy.
What is done at the Comprehensive Vision Exam (CVE)?
Even though you or your child may have had a recent eye exam, we recommend an exam with one of our doctors. Dr. Christenson and Dr. Flynn have had specialized training in pediatric optometry and vision therapy. Our exams go well beyond determining if the vision is 20/20. Other visual skills needed for efficient and comfortable vision, such as eye teaming and eye focusing, are evaluated. These skills can have a significant effect on reading performance. After the exam, the doctor may recommend a VPE for further assessment if visual processing problems are suspected.
What is a Visual Processing Evaluation (VPE)?
A VPE is an evaluation that is done by one of our certified vision therapists. This evaluation looks at how visual information is being processed. This evaluation takes about an hour to an hour and a half and is usually done on Friday mornings.
Areas evaluated include:
- Letter Reversal Frequency (confusing b,d,p,q)
- Visual Sequential Memory
- Eye Tracking (related to skipping and re-reading)
- Visual Motor Integration (copying/written work)
- Visual Processing Speed (ability to perform a visual task in an acceptable time frame)
- Dyslexia Testing
What is discussed at the Consultation?
The consultation is a meeting for adults only. At this meeting the results from the CVE and the VPE are discussed. The recommended treatment plan is reviewed and explained. It is also at this meeting that recommendations, insurance and payment options are talked about. This meeting typically takes an hour to an hour and a half.
Dyslexia Program Teaching (DPT)
The Dyslexia Program Teaching (DPT) materials are available for continued learning for patients with dyslexia after the formal office therapy. Learn more.
These are common symptoms of people who suffer from visually-related learning problems.
- Avoids reading
- Spells phonetically
- Complains of headaches or eyestrain after schoolwork
- Skips words or lines when reading
- Bright but does poorly on tests
- Difficulty remembering words learned before
- Homework takes an extremely long time to finish
- Words move or “swim” on the page
- Reverses letters and/or numbers in writing or copying
- Short attention span in reading or copying
- More difficulty with reading and spelling than other subjects
If you or your child experiences any of these symptoms, he or she should be evaluated by an optmetrist who specializes in vision therapy. To find out if a visual disorder may be interfering with learning potential, please call us for further information or to schedule an appointment. |
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