Visual Information Processing or Visual Perception

Visual information processing, or visual perception, is the process that the brain uses to make sense of the images received from the eyes. There are a number of specific visual processing skills that make up the ability to process visual information.

Visual information process skills are learned naturally as a child grows and develops. Some children can have difficulties establishing these skills because of a learning disability, such as dyslexia. Some children miss their opportunity to develop these skills as the input from the eyes may not have been clear, effortless or single (see Visual Input). And some people can lose these skills later in life, from a concussion, whiplash or traumatic brain injury.

The good news is that, despite how or why a person has a reduced ability to process visual information, as these skills are naturally learned, they can be taught and developed. This is achieved through vision therapy.

A visual information processing assessment will provide a profile of a person’s visual information processing strengths and areas of under-development, and if a child has a visual processing disorder. This profile is used to (1) focus the vision therapy program to the areas requiring the most attention and (2) help those in the learning support team understand a child’s abilities, change expectations and alter learning approaches as necessary. 

As the symptoms can sometimes be similar, a visual information processing disorder is often confused for dyslexia, and vice versa. In fact, the two are quite different. Read here about the difference between a visual information processing disorder and dyslexia. 

More information on a Visual Information Processing Assessment 

More information on a Visual Information Processing Disorder