disability

Visual Processing Disorders

A visual processing disorder can cause difficulty in seeing the difference between two similar letters, shapes, or objects, or noticing the similarities and differences between certain colors, shapes and patterns.

Although visual processing disorder is not named as learning disability under federal law, it can explain why a child may have trouble with learning and performance.

Visual Processing Disorders

There are lots of ways the brain processes visual information. Weaknesses in a particular kind of visual processing can often be seen in specific difficulties with practical, everyday tasks.

Visual Processing Disorders: By Age Group

Basics You Should Know About Visual Processing Disorders

  • Visual processing disorders are also known as visual perceptual processing disorders

  • They affect how the brain perceives and processes what the eye sees.

  • These disorders can occur without impaired vision of any kind.

  • Like all learning disabilities, visual processing disorders can be a lifelong challenge.

  • People with visual processing disorders have problems with the way they interpret information, but what others will notice in people with these disorders is the behavior that happens after the difficulties occur.

  • There are several types of visual processing disorders, each affecting different aspects of visual information processing.

Information Processing Disorders

Sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch are all ways the body collects information. But the act of using those senses is only the first step towards being able to use the data they’ve collected.

The information the body collects is sent to the brain which recognizes it, understands it, responds to it and stores it; repeating this pattern hundreds and even thousands of times each day.

Information processing makes it possible for a person to complete all the tasks that are required in a given day, from brushing teeth to grocery shopping to watching TV.