Category Archives: Sensory Integration

Vision Can Be Improved!

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Vision can be improved! So can eyesight.

Both vision and eyesight can be improved? Did you think not? Did someone tell you otherwise?

Vision has to do with the brain. Eyesight has to do with the eyes. Both need to be working. Both can be improved.

Eye doctors do not do that. They, instead, sell glasses. So, they “correct” eyesight by putting on glasses. Often these glasses are the wrong prescription. People, especially children complain, and are told “well your eyes will adjust.” Well, sure enough their brain adjusts, and maybe their eyes adjust too. And then they need stronger glasses. Until the person is old and is sold surgery — that lasts only 7 years. STOP!

Vision is not the same as Eyesight

Vision/eyesight is extremely important. Obviously, it underlies academic performance, but also it is foundational to lots of other things including spatial awareness/coordination and social ability and behavior and ability to focus! Until now just about no one was working scientifically on that.

Resources

And more and more Americans are having eye problems — largely because of the over-use of screens.

I just heard a great podcast by Dave Asprey with guest Dr. Bryce Applebaum https://daveasprey.com/1240-bryce-appelbaum/ that got me excited. So, I sat down with you, like an informal chat, and tried to convey what I know.

Meier Schnieder was blind, exercised till he could see, and started sharing his intuitive methods with others. He now teaches courses in person and on line. https://self-healing.org/ He had a couple of books, too.

Here is a link to the old sunning and palming exercises, altho I do not know the folks behind these sites at all. Looks like this is called the “Bates Method.”
https://integraleyesight.com/batesmethod/palming-and-sunning/
https://batesvisioneducation.org/using-sunshine-to-improve-eyesight/
https://naturallyclearvision.com/the-practice-of-palming/
https://healingtheeye.com/Articles/Sunning_is_beneficial.html

Easy things to do

First principals:
Get outside, do not stay indoors on your computer all the time! Strictly limit screen time for children. Make your screens warm, with as little blue light as possible. Even adults should stop using a screen 2 hours before bedtime or use strong blue blockers like Tru dark glasses. https://truedark.com/ (Cheap substitutes won’t be as good but will likely do some good.)

Look far away. Take breaks from working your eyes at least every hour.

Exercise your eyes: 1) Look close and far away
2) Look all around
3) Use your peripheral vision
4) Rest your eyes by covering your eyes with your warm palms and enjoying darkness for a while.

I think you will notice that your eyesight is improving with just a few trials. But keep on! Take hope and motivation by this fact, now established: that vision and eyesight can be improved — a great deal. Maybe in the future no one will wear glasses!

Sensory Integration with Nikki Branch, OT

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We are hearing a lot about sensory integration problems and the discipline that is handling sensory integration problems most is Occupational Therapy. It may seem strange to have children going to occupational therapy, but Nikki will explain to us that this is about the normal tasks that occupy a persons time. LOL Anyway, here is a brief introduction, from 2010, to OT for sensory integration.

We loved Nikki, who was a graduate of Baylor and a member of what was then the fastest growing church in Austin. She worked for Milestones, but has moved away since then. However, some of what she said, related to 2010 is exactly what needs to be considered today in 2021, that we can not speak about. you will hear it, carefully said, and you will know.

WHAT I DO

From my doctor mom and preschool educator perspective lots of sensory experiences, at the child’s level is a great idea. Dr. Montessori based much of her work on sensory education. Children’s task in the first years is to explore their environment, but modern environments are often too restrictive. For instance, a child can investigate a crib or a playpen only so much. They want to feel the carpet and the grass. They wan to bang the pots and the cabinet doors. They want to feel the difference between the velvet cushion and the satin one. The Montessori classroom offers these experiences in an organized manner. Also, as a grandmother of children who had problems, I offered a lot of swinging, rocking, and dancing to one child. Another needed extra time to draw circles and boxes and learn how to use a pencil. As an educator, I have seen children with differing problems. Some great OTs really helped families who were mystified about their children’s troubles.

Please chime in and tell us what is going on for you parents and your professionals now. We love to hear from you.