Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog, am grateful for your connection and interest..
Having worked in the Occupational Therapy field in both the pediatric and mental health practice areas, I have noticed something very important!!!
The importance of vision assessment and therapies. And the importance of exercise!
Why?
Because a HUGE majority of the people I treat have vision issues that go undiagnosed. This is a problem. In fact, the National Institutes of Health said that "75%-80% of special education students identified as learning disabled have their basic deficits in language and reading."
What are we doing about it?
There are centers that assess vision in a more detailed way not just through the E eye chart which measures distance reading. Developmental and Behavioral optometrists can assess vision to better understand issues such as tracking, eye movement control, eye teaming, and more.
One cannot read and remember what is being read if they have trouble reading, eye fatigue, and double vision. This is essential in my opinion.
I am currently finishing some training (all done online) how to better assess vision screenings. Will post more info about it in a few weeks..
A friend also recently directed me to an article posted in an Indian Newspaper about the importance of exercise in treatment of schizophrenia. She asked me do I agree? I said absolutely.
Why?
When I am working with patients on an acute psychiatric ward (adults of all ages), mostly who have schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, we encourage and do exercise groups every day and educate about posture and the importance of exercising every week. We see the benefits all the time!! The patients are more alert, have an easier time concentrating, and through breath work (pranayama) they learn to relax. It is very humbling to see. I myself favor Yoga practice especially. The patients love it and very much say they are helped by it.
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Best,
Jennifer
