If possible could
You please post this question? Thanks
My son turns 5 this month and had started prep. He attended daycare with a kindy program 4 days
Per week since he
Was 18 mths. His prep teacher said he isn't dong to well with learning. He can write his name and name squares, circles and rectangles. However he only recognises 3 letters of the alphabet (she said he should know 18 by now and his name has 5 ) and doesn't recognise any number(he can count to twenty but she said he should recognise at least 15 numbers). The teacher recommended we take him to a behavioural optometrist. I have taken him but am a little confused. The op said he needed to see a chiropractor because of his retained neonatal reflexes (specifically his Palmer reflex). He also wants him to see a vision specialist to help him learn to see better?? He also said his vision is perfect but to get him glasses to wear when reading and writing to help his focus? He then told me I may need to consider keeping him back in prep next year. He also said to teach him by play based learning (which makes sense). His teacher said He is a very happy well behaved little boy but he isn't really picking anything up. Has anyone ever had this before or could offer some advise? TIA
3 Replies
Grrr there is a huge debate around the validity of behavioural optometrists! I can't believe your sins teacher sent you to one. The research on Chiropractic says it is only helpful for back pain! Kids learn at a variable rate at this age, however a proper optometrist assessment wouldn't hurt (especially as the BO was so confusing). If your still concerned an educational psychologist could be if assistance. They can give recommendations that are evidence based.
If his vision is perfect then how is giving him glasses to wear going to be any good? wearing glasses when there is no need to can worsen eyesight.
I had to google what a behavioural optometrist even was and I am appalled that your sons prep teacher has advised you to see one over other options first.
If you have worries about his learning, go see your GP and get a referral to someone who knows what they are talking about :)
What a visual optometrist never heard of one