Table of Contents

1 Vision Is More Than Seeing the Blackboard: Parents and Teachers Need to Keep Watchful Eyes on a Child's Near Vision Struggles 2 The Best Visual Systems Are Made, Not Born On Waves of Toxicity: If We Fail to Understand This, if We Fail to Help Affected Children, School Learning Will Suffer 3 Poor Vision Development Affecting School Success Is Epidemic, But Some Schools and Many Parents are Reversing It with Vision Therapy 4 Children Do Not Have To Go Nearsighted: Without Intervention, Myopia Usually Progresses, but It Can Be Controlled and Sometimes Reversed 5 Treatments That Support Eyes and Brain for Learning: Several Are Used in Innovative Schools 6 Teachers Are The First Line of Defense Against Vision-Related Learning Problems 7 The Seven Home Habits For Growing A Visually Successful Child

About the Author

Antonia Orfield, a former high school teacher, works as a behavioral optometrist. She has published research on children's learning related vision problems and taught pediatric optometry and vision therapy as a clinical preceptor for the New England College of Optometry. Currently, Dr. Orfield divides her time between the Harvard University Health Services and her private behavioral optometry practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Reviews

Dr. Orfield's book will be invaluable to parents and educators who have always wondered why no matter what services are provided, their children still struggle. It explains what is getting in the way and how you can help the underachieving child.
*Jeffrey H. Getzell, OD, FCOVD, FCSO, midwest regional OEP chairman, and chairman, Great Lakes Optometric Congress*

The vision training [VT] I did with Dr. Orfield changed my life. Reading and memory retention became much easier... Every guidance counselor, school nurse, tutor, teacher, and parent should use Dr. Orfield's book as their bible when working with students.
*Ralph Katz, CEO and president of BK Management and 18-time North American Bridge Championship winner*

As my vision and depth perception improved through vision therapy with Dr. Orfield, so did the coordination between my hands. As a professional violinist and teacher, I was amazed at this development (which helped me improve elements of my technique) and the increased freedom of expression that came with it. As a former teacher of mine said subsequently upon hearing me play, " I wish everyone who went to the optometrist would come back with their ears opened.
*Ann Miklich, freelance orchestral violinist, violin, and viola teacher; chair of the String Department of the Community Music Center of Boston*

Training with Dr. Orfield in 1989 and 1990, I cleared up all my nearsightedness. I have not needed distance glasses since... Vision training is terrific for all sports development programs (beginner to pro), public speaking, academic achievement, improving job performance, and martial arts... It should be an integral part of every child's development, available in each and every school. Dr. Orfield has put together the latest critical information on 1) how to raise visually competent children; 2) howto identify those children who have learning related vision problems; 3) how to fix functional vision problems with glasses and vision exercises with a behavioral optometrist; and 4) how to find appropriate referrals for health issues that impact vision.I am definitely recommending this book to all my clients, especially it is a 'must' for those who teach or who have children or grandchildren..
*Bruce J. Moran, consultant, Sifu in Tai Chi Tao, NCCAOM diplomat in Asian Bodywork, and AOBTA-certified instructor/athletic trainer*

Finally, a comprehensive and well-written text for both parents and educators about children's vision and learning and what can be done to help our children. This is a welcome addition!
*Carl F. Gruning, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, clinical professor, SUNY College of Optometry (pediatrics/infants), and past president, College of Optometrists in Vision Develo*

[Orfield] gives teachers, assessors and parents methods to determine whether a child has a visual learning disability and where to turn for confirmation and treatment. She also gives advice about having proper facilities and activities that will enhance vision for affected and normal children.
*Scitech Book News*

The information that parents need to help prevent and reverse vision problems and the undesirable conditions that accompany them is presented in both an easily readable and a practical form. Ever parent should have this book.
*Amiel Francke, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, FCSO*

Dr. Orfield is to be congratulated for presenting cutting edge material in a professional manner. This is a gem of a book that should be read cover-to-cover by parents, educators, and all professionals entrusted with guiding children’s development.
*Optometry and Vision Development*

This innovative book coaches parents and teachers on how to identify a vision related problem, and how to treat it.
*Mark-Ellis Bennett, The Biltmore Beacon, April 2008*

Dr. Orfield's innovative text contains many new ideas and ways of understanding children's learning and social difficulties. The text provides insight into the role of impaired vision in cognitive and social functioning. By focusing on the impact of the role of
impaired vision in the physical and psychological functioning of the child she gives hope to many children, whose only recourse
for understanding their learning difficulties has been self blame and the assumption of personal inadequacy. Dr Orfield writes
and works from within a deep well of knowledge and sense of humanitarian love and concern for those in her care. Some ten
years ago, I could not see to drive, attend cinema or theatre without glasses for nearsightedness. Under her care and with a
personalized set of exercises, the nearsightedness disappeared in less than a year and I have not worn glasses for distance vision since.
*Gail M. Price, RN, Ph.D., editor, Newsletter of the Boston Institute for the Development of Infants and Parents (B.I.D.I.P)*

Training with Dr. Orfield in 1989 and 1990, I cleared up all my nearsightedness. I have not needed distance glasses since... Vision training is terrific for all sports development programs (beginner to pro), public speaking, academic achievement, improving job performance, and martial arts... It should be an integral part of every child's development, available in each and every school.

Dr. Orfield has put together the latest critical information on 1) how to raise visually competent children; 2) how to identify those children who have learning related vision problems; 3) how to fix functional vision problems with glasses and vision exercises with a behavioral optometrist; and 4) how to find appropriate referrals for health issues that impact vision. I am definitely recommending this book to all my clients, especially it is a 'must' for those who teach or who have children or grandchildren.
*Bruce J. Moran, consultant, Sifu in Tai Chi Tao, NCCAOM diplomat in Asian Bodywork, and AOBTA-certified instructor/athletic trainer*

A truly holistic 'look' at vision through the eyes of an optometrist, who guides us to see the whole picture. This volume is a valuable resource for parents, teachers, and therapists of all types. It will be a bridge connecting the understanding of vision development and learning for the next generation.
*Patricia S. Lemer, executive director, Developmental Delay Resources (DDR) www.devdelay.org*

What an eye opener! Dr. Orfield's insight and suggestions are a true gift to those of us with learning and vision challenges. [This book] is brimming with positive, practical guidance for parents and teachers.
*Bonnie Hershey, MEd., international faculty member, Brain Gym International, Ventura, CA*

Until I read this [book], I had no idea how many of the school learning disabilities I encountered in my practice resulted from vision-related learning problems that should be distinguished from [other] learning problems. ... I applaud Dr. Orfield for introducing the reader to other alternative modalities that can help vision. No doubt, upgrading children's vision is ultimately upgrading the quality of their lives!
*Luc De Schepper, MD, PhD., Lic. Ac., DI Hom., founder, Renaissance Institute of Classical Homeopathy, www.drluc.com*

A must read for educators and parents alike. Dr. Orfield's highly readable guide presents ground-breaking solutions to common learning problems and is supported by substantial data. Her holistic common sense ... is not just about vision but also how vision is interrelated with learning.
*Lara Polsky Gillease, certified Pilates and Feldenkrais teacher*