When we hear the word vision, most of us immediately think about how clearly we can see. While visual clarity—or visual acuity—is one part of vision, it’s only the beginning. Vision is also about how the brain interprets what our eyes are taking in. For many of the children I work with, visual challenges don’t stem from acuity issues. In fact, most of my clients pass standard school or pediatrician vision screenings. The challenges lie in the brain’s ability to process visual input and in how the eyes work together.
Many of my clients struggle with conditions like convergence insufficiency, difficulty with eye teaming, or the inability to keep their eyes fixed in one place for extended periods. Some may have a lazy eye. These are all functional vision challenges that affect motor control—and in the case of spelling, that’s a huge piece of the puzzle.
What Is Functional Vision and Why Does It Matter?
Functional vision involves how well the eyes coordinate, track, and focus—not just how clearly they see. A comprehensive vision assessment should go beyond the standard eye chart. But when I ask parents if their child has seen a developmental optometrist, I often hear, “It’s impossible—my child can’t speak.” Thankfully, this is possible!
There are some developmental optometrists who are trained to assess vision in non-speaking individuals and more are hearing about spelling and want to learn more. Think about toddlers: they can’t articulate what they see, yet many wear glasses. There are methods to evaluate both acuity and visual function without verbal communication. It’s just a matter of finding a provider who truly understands or who is willing to learn how to assess children with complex communication and motor needs.
Why Is Vision Critical for Spelling as a Form of Communication?
Vision plays a direct role in motor coordination. It influences how we move our bodies through space, how we react to what we see, and how we focus on tasks like spelling. For individuals with whole-body apraxia, motor planning is already difficult. Add in functional vision challenges, and the ability to accurately point to letters on a letterboard becomes even more complex.
Spellers rely heavily on their ocular motor skills to locate each letter and spell out words. These eye muscles are small and fatigue more quickly than larger muscles. That’s why many of my clients require frequent breaks during spelling sessions. It’s not a lack of focus or disinterest—it’s simply visual fatigue.
One of the biggest factors that limits a spelling session is not age or necessarily motor ability, but visual stamina. If your child’s eyes are tired, their spelling will become less accurate, and frustration may set in. However, the good news is that spelling is also one of the best ways to build ocular motor strength and improve eye coordination over time. By adding in a few extra minutes or spelling sessions, the endurance and stamina of the eye muscles will benefit.
Vision and Regulation: How They’re Connected
Another key reason vision matters is its connection to self-regulation. Many spellers I work with struggle to sit still during sessions. This isn’t simply behavioral—it often stems from difficulty integrating their central and peripheral vision systems. If a child can’t maintain steady fixation on the letterboard, their body may become dysregulated.
Here’s what typically happens: the child attempts to focus on the board (central vision), but if their peripheral vision is poorly integrated, their system becomes overwhelmed. To compensate, they move—rocking, shifting, or getting up—because movement helps re-engage their peripheral vision and restore a sense of balance. These spellers often appear more impulsive or distracted, but in reality, they’re just trying to regulate their nervous system.
When vision is off, the whole body can feel off. Imagine not being able to direct your gaze where you need it or constantly relying on your peripheral vision. That would feel incredibly dysregulating—and children often compensate in ways that are misunderstood as “behavior issues.”
How to Find a Developmental Optometrist Who Gets It
This is one of the most frequent questions I hear from parents: How do I get my child’s vision assessed by someone who understands whole-body apraxia and complex sensory motor needs?
Over the years, I’ve connected with several developmental optometrists who truly “get it.” They’ve invested time into learning about spellers, whole body apraxia, and the unique visual-motor challenges our kids face. To find someone near you, I recommend starting with the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) website. Look for practitioners with the FCOVD credential, which indicates specialized training in developmental optometry.
I also recommend watching this webinar by Dr. Susan Daniel, where she walks through a full developmental optometry assessment tailored to individuals with whole-body apraxia. If your local optometrist is open to learning, this is an incredible resource you can share with them. Visit our Services page to find out more information on how to find an optometrist who can help.
Final Thoughts
Vision is so much more than seeing clearly—it’s about how the brain and eyes work together. For individuals with whole body apraxia, functional vision challenges can create a major barrier to spelling, movement, and regulation. The more we understand the connection between vision and motor skills, the better we can support our spellers in reaching their full potential.
If you suspect your child is struggling with visual processing, don’t wait. Finding the right developmental optometrist can be a game-changer—not just for spelling, but for overall regulation, confidence, and communication.
