Visual Treatments for Developmental Dyslexia

There is conflicting research on the benefits of visual treatments for developmental dyslexia. Recently, the article “What is Developmental Dyslexia?” written by John Stein discussed in detail the phonological theory of dyslexia and the pathophysiological visual and auditory mechanisms that can cause phonological problems. The researcher reports on the importance of the magnocellular system.

What is the magnocellular system?

The magnocellular system is a specialized set of large neurons found throughout the brain that provides rapid processing and timing of visual information. For example, it is not responsible for the details of a letter (i.e. color) but it is responsible to direct the eye movement and visual attention in order to identify the letter.

What does the research say about improving the performance of the magnocellular system?

If someone with dyslexia can improve the magnocellular system through visual treatments, does it then improve his/her reading? The following research supports that visual treatments for developmental dyslexia may be helpful:

Study #1: Magnocellular function training occurred by asking participants with dyslexia to decide the direction of motion of progressively dimmer moving gratings on a background of similar high contrast gratings. As their contrast sensitivity improved, the contrast of the gratings was reduced, so that magnocellular sensitivity progressively increased and with it the children’s reading (Lawton & Shelley-Tremblay, 2017).

Study #2: In another study, training the magnocellular pathway to detect progressively faster movements was followed by improved lexical decision and reading accuracy (Choake, 2012).

Study #3: Visual-motor training consisted of progressively more difficult coherent motion detection, visual search, visual tracking, and juggling. These exercises improved magnocellular pathway function, and this was associated with significant increases in phonological awareness (Qian & Bi 2015).

Study #4: Using action video games with no reading or phonological content helped children with dyslexia to greatly improve both their visual magnocellular function and their reading (Gori, 2016).

Study #5: Elementary students received saccadic training and improved their reading fluency significantly (Leong, 2014).

In summary, effective visual magnocellular function is essential for learning to read and the benefits of visual treatments for developmental dyslexia can be seen in many written alphabets and languages.

Looking for resources on visual treatments?

The Visual Perceptual Packet digital download is an evidence-based packet that organizes activity suggestions based on the development of visual perception. Created by a school-based Occupational Therapist with 10+ years of experience, this 30 page PDF digital download includes loads of written activity suggestions, as well as 20 Print and Go worksheets to save time and treatment planning. Not only will this packet provide new ideas for intervention, but will also inspire you to think about the way you address visual perceptual skill development. FIND OUT MORE.

Recommended additional resources:

The Pattern Recognition Worksheet Packet

The Oculomotor Worksheet Packet

VAMPS Assessment – Visual Activity, Motor, Postural, & Sensorimotor Assessment