Visual processing affects all subject areas but specifically reading, reading comprehension, and math. With this simple evaluation you can determine if your child has a significant visual processing issue. If you find that your child is deficient in visual processing, activities and software is suggested at the end of this article.

 

This evaluation will require you to write out digits (letters and numbers) on 3x5 cards before you begin. You will need 30 cards.  If your child is not familiar with letters and numbers, you may start by using pictures of objects.  Write a set of 3 digits on a card, use fairly large lettering and space the digits apart across the card as best as you can, (see example below.) Make a set of 5 cards for each level, ie. 5 cards with 3 digits, 5 cards with 4 digits, 5 cards with 5 digits, and so on.

 

Of course, as the number of digits increases, the size and spacing will decrease, that is fine. These cards can be used later to instruct and work with the child to improve their visual processing.

 

The child (or adult, if you are testing yourself) is not supposed to use any mnemonic device such as clustering (like a phone number or 2 or 3 digit number – ie 29), putting to music, attaching to a known word, number, or picture, or any other memory tricks we use to remember things. Using these methods are tricks and devices and do not accurately identify the person’s processing ability.

 

T  4  9

 

Recording responses

When the child reaches instructional level stop, this will be the instructional level used when remediating using digit spans.

 

Visual Processing

Level at which the child missed 0-1  _____ digits   Ability Level

Level at which the child missed 2-3  _____ digits    Instructional Level

Level at which the child missed 4-5  _____ digits    Frustration Level

 

What does this information tell me?

The number of digits the child functions at identifies the processing ability. The processing ability indicates the level of learning the child can attain. For example: a typical 3 year old should be able to process 3 pieces of information sequentially, a four year old, 4 pieces, and a 5 year old, 5 pieces. It is important to note that a child can not functionally learn to read without being able to accurately recall 5 pieces of visual information. 

It is important to reach a level that is functional for the child. If your child is 5 years old you want the child to function at a level 5 digit span. If your child is over 8 then work toward 8 digits. You may go higher than 8 as well.

 

Interventions for Visual processing:

Brain Age for Nintendo DS  www.brainage.com
This game is a bit more advanced and is great for ages 8 to adult (depending on ability level, must be able to read.) Video games improve certain aspects of visual processing. They enhance finding objects in clutter, figure ground discrimination, tracking, visual perception, and subitizing (ability to identify the number of multiple items quickly). However, they do not enhance visual sequence recall unless that is what they are designed to do such as games like brain age.

Digit Spans  -  develop a set of cards with pictures, letters and numbers,  or words starting at the instructional level. I suggest at least 10 sets of digits for each level so that after daily review, the sets will not be easily memorized. Review the digits spans for 3-5 minutes several times a day. Making it a game is always more fun. Try letting your child ‘test’ you on the digit spans and work on improving your processing.