Human beings learn primarily through sight and sound. In most people, the eyes capture visual information that the brain can then interpret. However, in people with some type of visual perception disorder, this process does not work quite as smoothly as it was intended to do.
Spatial Relation Disorder
A spatial relation disorder is a type of visual processing disorder; it deals with difficulties in properly interpreting or understanding information received from the eyes. Individuals who have a spatial relation disorder find it difficult to distinguish objects’ relationships with other objects. This inability drastically interferes with learning subjects where letters and numbers are heavily used; math and reading, of course, would be two of the most common such examples.
The problem lies in a person’s ability to distinguish signs and symbols where the shapes are similar, but not the same. Here is such an example: (b/d) (p/q). To a normal person, the letters are distinguishable, but to a person with a spatial relation disorder, these letters become co-mingled in their processing. The same problem applies to numbers and math symbols, such as =, +, – and /. Additionally, to the average person, the number 14 is seen as a single number, but to a person with a spatial relation disorder number 14 may be seen as two separate numbers: 1 and 4.
Visual Discrimination
Visual discrimination disorders can also be categorized as visual processing disorders, just like spatial relation disorders. Visual discrimination between objects and their unique characteristics can be very confusing for people with this type of visual perception disorder.
Most people identify objects by such characteristics as color, shape, size and pattern, as well as by contrast. Individuals with this type of visual perception disorder, however, are restricted in their ability to recognize and comprehend these differences, making the learning process extremely difficult. After all, memory is a critical component of learning, and if there are inconsistencies in the visual recognition process then learning can become frustrating and difficult for the person involved – especially if the cause is not properly diagnosed.
Irlen Syndrome
Irlen Syndrome is another form of visual perception disorder that can make it difficult for a person to process text. This difficulty in reading text generally comes into play under certain conditions – most commonly when the text is written on a light background and the room in which it is being read is brightly lit. Under these conditions, the text can appear fuzzy and blurred. Many doctors recommend that individuals who suffer from Irlen Syndrome wear colored lenses, which simulate a low-light situation and improve the contrast between the text and background.
Signs and Symptoms
The potential inconvenience of a visual perception disorder is clear. Determining the presence of such a disorder, however, can often be challenging. Common indications that a person might be suffering from a visual perception disorder could include difficulty in spelling, limitations in visual memory, frequent mistakes in copying, a poor sense of direction and challenges with problem solving.
These traits can often be confused with those of a person with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), so you should rely on a qualified medical professional for a proper diagnosis.
Testing
A variety of tests are available to help determine if a person has a visual perception disorder. These tests are generally administered by an occupational therapist or a behavioral optometrist.
The most common varieties include the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills (TVPS),
the Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) and the Motor-Free Visual Perceptual Test (MVPT). Each test can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Of course, visual perception disorders are not an “all or nothing” issue. There are varying degrees of each disorder; proper testing is simply a way to ascertain to what degree a person is impacted.
Discovering that someone does suffer some type of visual perception disorder does not mean that they will be handicapped in certain areas for their entire life. Depending on the type and severity of the disorder, a variety of therapies and treatments are available to help the person deal with the condition. With proper detection and management, a visual perception disorder could be nothing more than a challenge to overcome.