When your child is smart and capable but schoolwork feels unusually hard, it’s natural to wonder what’s going on. Many families start by focusing on attention, motivation, or learning style—only to discover the struggle may be visual. At Vision Source Specialists, we often help parents understand that a child’s behavior can be a coping response when their visual system can’t comfortably handle reading, writing, and sustained focus.
Early Signs Parents May Notice At Home Or School
Vision-related challenges don’t always show up as trouble seeing far away. More often, they show up as avoiding near tasks or acting restless during reading and writing. As Dr. Wattenhofer explains, “Anytime a child is falling behind in school… also avoiding doing work… it can mean that their visual system cannot stay on target.”
Here are common signs that may be worth a closer look:
- Falling behind in reading or writing pace compared to classmates
- Avoiding homework, reading time, or close-up tasks
- Frequently getting up in class (sharpening pencils, wandering, taking constant breaks)
- Covering one eye while reading
- Getting sleepy during reading or putting their head down
- Complaints of headaches, eye strain, or fatigue with schoolwork
Children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re seeing, so their behavior often becomes the clue.
Why A Child Can Pass A Screening And Still Struggle
Many school screenings (and even some basic vision checks) mainly measure visual acuity—how clearly a child can read letters on a chart. That can catch obvious nearsightedness and some astigmatism, but it doesn’t fully evaluate the visual skills needed for sustained classroom work.
For example, farsightedness can be missed because children may compensate by focusing harder, especially during a quick screening. But school is mostly up-close work, and the strain can build throughout the day. Vision also depends on two eyes working together and the brain processing what the eyes send back. If there’s a weak link anywhere in that system, reading can slow down, comprehension can drop, and focus can fade.
Vision Skills That Support Reading And Classroom Focus
Reading relies on skills that go beyond “seeing clearly.” A child’s eyes must move accurately and work as a coordinated team. When these skills are underdeveloped, reading can feel confusing, tiring, or even uncomfortable.
Common areas that may be affected include:
- Pursuits: smoothly tracking a moving target
- Saccades: quick “jumping” movements from word to word
- Fixation: keeping the eyes steady on one spot
- Focusing flexibility: shifting focus without getting stuck or strained
- Eye teaming: both eyes aiming together consistently
When tracking and teaming take extra effort, kids may reread lines, lose their place, skip words, or avoid reading altogether—not because they don’t want to learn, but because the work feels harder than it should.
When To Seek A Vision Therapy Evaluation
If you’re noticing consistent patterns—reading avoidance, headaches, fatigue, falling behind, or behaviors that seem tied to near work—it’s worth scheduling an evaluation sooner rather than later. Early support can make a meaningful difference in confidence and classroom success, especially before frustration and labels begin to shape how a child sees themselves.
Dr. Wattenhofer shares an important reminder for parents: “Never assume that the child is making the decision to underperform.” Sometimes the challenge is hidden, and a child may be working much harder than anyone realizes.
Schedule A Vision Therapy Evaluation In Rapid City
A vision therapy evaluation looks beyond basic eyesight to assess the skills that support learning—tracking, focusing, teaming, and more—so you can get clearer answers and a practical plan forward.
- 318 Mt Rushmore Rd, Suite ARapid City, SD 57701
- 605-399-3937
If your child is capable but school feels like a constant uphill climb, Vision Source Specialists is here to help you identify what’s getting in the way and support stronger visual skills for learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my child avoid reading but do fine with other activities?
- Reading is visually demanding. If tracking, focusing, or eye teaming takes extra effort, your child may avoid the activity that causes the most strain—especially after a full school day.
At what point should I stop waiting it out?
- If you’re noticing ongoing avoidance, falling behind, headaches, or classroom behaviors that seem connected to reading and near work, it’s a good time to schedule a vision therapy evaluation.
Can a child have 20/20 vision and still need vision therapy?
- Yes. Clear sight on an eye chart doesn’t measure how well the eyes track, focus, and work together during close-up tasks like reading and writing.