Reading Help: What is Visual Processing? Every day, our minds process vast amounts of information at incredible speeds, often without us even knowing it! That’s why, when we struggle with certain activities—such as reading—it can be tough to pinpoint what’s really happening. Often, learners don’t even realize they need reading help, because difficulties may only register on a subconscious level. Take a minute to think about how many complex actions and processes are involved in reading. You have to identify specific symbols as letters of the alphabet, then connect those symbols with the sound they make. Through this process, you’re able to decipher individual words. That’s just the beginning. Your brain has to recognize those words, connect sentences, and extract meaning. Then, you have to remember important details, build visuals in your head, and absorb what you’ve just read! To make all of that possible, our brains draw on key cognitive skills like focus, working memory, auditory processing, and visual processing. If a learner has deficits in any of these skills, like visual processing, that can make reading all the more challenging. Over the next couple of months, we’ll explore visual processing in greater detail—what it is, how it affects us, and signs that your learner may need reading help. The How and Why of Visual Processing How Our Minds Process Visual Information First of all: what is visual processing, anyway? Simply put, this cognitive skill helps us identify, interpret, and use visual input. “Visual input” is an enormous category that covers what we see—colors, symbols, faces, shapes, and so much more. It also includes more abstract visualization, like identifying patterns, interpreting distances, and more. Let’s look at a few ways we use this process, consciously or subconsciously: Recognizing familiar faces and interpreting their facial expressions correctly Identifying numbers and letters without confusion Forming a mental picture of our environment, which allows us to move around in a space easily Filtering out background details to focus on important features such as text Unsurprisingly, when individuals struggle with this cognitive skill, it can play a significant role in how they learn. It can also affect what types of support they need, like reading help. Let’s review how. Learning Difficulties and Visual Processing Some students seem to be naturally inclined to visual learning—others simply aren’t. That said, identifying, processing, and storing visual data is a big part of learning for almost all subjects, especially reading and math. For reading in particular, here’s how we use visualization: To build mental pictures of what we’re reading To process complex ideas To draw comparisons, analogies, and patterns To understand abstract concepts To store information for future retrieval In other words, visualization doesn’t just affect how accurately we read. It also plays a substantial role in reading comprehension and critical thinking. Improving this skill can provide effective reading help for all ages—making this activity more meaningful and enjoyable in the process! Reading Help for Students with Visual Challenges When it comes to reading challenges, every learner faces unique difficulties. That’s why it’s so important to understand where and why each learner is struggling. LearningRx takes that exact approach – focusing on identifying individual needs. When we offer support to kids, teens, and adults, we start by assessing students’ cognitive skills and abilities. That way, reading help and other programs can be tailored to meet each learner’s unique needs and challenges. Next month, we’ll explore how to tell if your learner may be struggling with visual processing. Reading difficulties can be demoralizing and frustrating—but the right support can make a world of difference! Need reading help for you or your learner? Start a conversation with LearningRx by calling 866-BRAIN-01, or just visit us online today.