On August 19, 2011 I delivered a 7 hour lecture to Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Therapists, Neuropsychologists and other rehabilitation professionals at the Radisson Hotel in Downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan entitled VISUAL PROCESSING AND THERAPY…The Integration of Visual Efficiency and Processing and its Impact on individuals with Sensory Processing Disorders, ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and Acquired Brain Injury. In addition to the 180+ slides in my presentation that was provided to the audience in their binders, I have also prepared a post lecture compilation of slides that has links to resources at various websites.
Therefore, to the attendees of my PESI course (as well as all of the readers of The VisionHelp Blog) feel free to click here or on the graphic below to download a pdf of my slides that have active links to the related resources.
Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FCOVD
The VisionHelp Blog 
Dr Dan,
My name is Debbie Schultz and my daughter Robin and my husband Brian both went through your program. A few years ago, I started a paper that compared ADHD symptoms with the symptoms of other disorders including convergence insufficiencies for a handbook for teachers. I am now in the process of working on this handbook once again, but I am in need of some information. Do you have any scholarly/peer review journals that I could read that would discuss the symptoms of convergence insufficiency and/or how it differs from the symptoms of ADHD? I know that the treatment is vision therapy, but it would be nice if the article(s) would discuss that as well.
Thank you
Deb
Thank you for your question Debbie.
It is heartwarming to hear, that even after a few years since we treated your daughter and husband in vision therapy, that you are taking this proactive role to help teachers recognize the signs and symptoms of a binocular vision problem, Convergence Insufficiency. Yes, there are too many children and adults who suffer with the stereotype and incorrect treatment for behaviors that mimic ADD/ADHD, but are in fact caused by a vision problem.
Indeed there is evidence based information regarding the common symptoms associated with convergence insufficiency can be found here.
But, here is the take-away message in understanding Convergence Insufficiency, a binocular vision problem that affects 1 in 12 individuals. The symptoms common to those children (and adults) with Convergence Insufficiency can be exactly the same as those individuals with ADHD!
For example, when a classroom teacher is working with a child that has difficulty concentrating or paying attention to visually demanding near-centered activities like reading, writing or other “desk work” instead of being quick to judge this child as just another “ADHD kid”, it is essential to know that those with Convergence Insufficiency can have behaviors that mimic ADHD. Therefore, it is essential that all children with “ADD-like” behaviors be seen by a Developmental Optometrist to determine if there is a vision problem like Convergence Insufficiency. I would recommend those Doctors of Optometry who are Board Certified Fellows through the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. For those who are looking, click here.
This is truly a children’s health issue that must be heard and understood. Thank you for taking a leadership role in children’s vision advocacy by writing a paper on this topic that will serve to help bring this important message to parents and teachers. Please let me know when your paper and the Teacher Handbook is finished so that we can help spread through our Blog.
Also, I would highly recommend that you take a look at Sovoto – The Vision Advocacy Network. Sovoto is a growing community of doctors, parents, patients from all throughout the US and globally. By joining and getting involved on the Sovoto platform your voice of vision advocacy through your writings on this important topic of the relationship of vision to attention and concentration may touch the lives of children worldwide.
Thanks again Deb,
Dr. Dan
Dr Dan,
Thank you for your quick response, the information is very helpful. My husband, Brian, has a question. Occasionally he will go into big buildings (like a convention center) that has the high pressure sodium lights. It does not take long for him to not feel good, he gets a headache and as he puts it he “feels unstable”. Is that another type of vision problem?
Dr.Firtenbacher, thank you for the excellent video VBRD, can I used as example for a Television program in Mexico? Dr. Picos FCOVD