Page 11 - BOAF Journal 1 2012:2707

Behavioral Optometry
BOAF
Volume1 Number1 2012
- head rather than eye movements when tracking,
- poor writing,
- reading difficulties and reversals.
The symmetric tonic neck reflex can cause similar prob- lems to the asymmetric tonic neck reflex but in addition the child will often bend there head close to the paper often lying on one arm. They may close one eye to alleviate binocular strain due to their very close reading / writing distance. Bilateral brain integration can be impeded with retention of this reflex which can lead to part of a word being read with the child guessing the rest. Depth perception may be impaired and therefore an ap- preciation of depth, distance and perspective may be af- fected. A sloping desk can prove helpful.
Individuals retaining the spinal galant reflex will be very fidgety, unable to sit still, always wanting to leave their seat with the least excuse. The reflex af- fects the lower region of the spine which is very sensitive. Compensation for retention of the spinal galant can lead not only to sitting difficulty but these individuals move and walk awkwardly because of the tension induced in the muscles of the back. Because of this muscle tension, the child may be unable to develop fluid well co-ordinated movement, inevi- tably balance is affected and clumsiness will result.
Commonly seen in the moro reflex is a head down posture.
This reflex is said to be com- monly associated with Streff syndrome, a condition associ- ated with restricted functional visual fields, reduced acuity, and restricted range available for clear, near reading and common in children with learn-
ing difficulties 13.
Use of Kinesiology, Chiro- practic and Osteopathy
Eye movement difficulties
A presentation I gave at the annual IASK (International As- sociation of Specialised Kinesi-
ologies)14 conference at Kings College, London, in 1997 indi- cated how simple basic Kinesi- ology “Brain Gym” exercises
15,16 developed in chiropractic research in the 60s can have a major impact on the fluidity and accuracy of smooth pursuit eye tracking movements. By chance, I was able to observe these changes when measured using a computer controlled eye tracking device. Similar results have been noted by Dr Charles Krebs17 in Australia. A technique that can improve eye tracking abilities in minutes rather than months of conventional eye ex- ercises!
Cranial Osteopathy / Chiro- practic
These techniques can be used to help eye / vision prob- lems in a number of ways, in particular :
- the re-alignment of the physiological blind spot,
- eye movement difficulties, - 11-
- head tilts and turns,
- neck stiffness causing wearing difficulties of multi- focal lenses,
- and possibly reduced functional fields.
Chiropractic treatment of restricted functional visual fields
One Australian Chiropractic
researcher Danny Stevens18,19 discovered, in association with Ophthalmologist Frank Gorman, that the field did not expand with just one therapy session but opened in stages which he termed the step phenomenon.
Kinesiology
Here a case history of a dyslexic child with severe visual processing difficulties treated using Neural Organisation Technique, (NOT), (a branch of Kinesiology developed by New York Chiropractor Dr. Carl Fer- erri), by Bill Rhys20 which dem-
onstrates both visual and struc- tural changes.
The questionnaire com- pleted by his mother showed that he was unusually awkward, tripped and stumbled and had difficulty in catching balls.
He blinked excessively and was light sensitive. When doing homework he avoided close work.
When he could not avoid it he held the print close to his face, or dropped his head to the print, and moved his head or the print.