A RECIDIVISM SOLUTION: Rationale for Brain-Centered Preschool Eye Movement Testing and Training
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Carrick Institute, United States
A RECIDIVISM SOLUTION: Rationale for Brain-Centered Preschool
Eye Movement Testing and Training
AUTHOR: Julie K Bjornson, DC, FACFN
INTRODUCTION: A 15 year San Bernardino Juvenile Hall Vision Program dropped recidivism 87%. Officials agreed the ‘Recidivism Solution’ must start in preschool, testing and training vision, eye movement coordination, before students learn to read, especially boys; as over 90% of inmates were male, over 90% could not read due to vision problems and dropped out of high school.
ABSTRACT: The reduced recidivism results of the San Bernardino Juvenile Hall program emphasizing the need to establish eye movement testing in preschool and the Wellington, FL private high school study of 70 students where only 22 students were functionally reading at or above grade level both emphasize the need to establish early identification of abnormal eye movement coordination in preschool before children are taught to read.
Current school entrance requirements are chronological age and the ability to read the Snellen chart’s BIG E at 20ft. The near-point reading distance is 8-12 inches. Gaze stability testing to ensure two eyes see one image at the reading distance is not evaluated. Eye movement coordination, to test that the eyes track together while reading is not evaluated.
Many factors can interfere with brain function; such as, concussions from sports, trauma, falls, car accidents, reactions to medications, drowning, family stress, food allergies, environmental toxins, autism, dyslexia, ADHD and more. Brain-based neurological evaluations need to be designed to assess brain development appropriate for the physical foundation of reading readiness to be utilized during preschool academic preparation.
Requiring learning to read in preschool, at age 4, without vision testing and training, as in the State of Florida, may be counterproductive to the expected improvement in academic success. Delayed neurodevelopment has an effect on eye movement coordination.
Learning to read requires the ability to focus, while learning from reading, comprehension, requires integrated brain function. Delayed or imbalanced brain development can interfere with both functions. Recidivism was directly related to students’ inability to read and keep up with reading assignments in high school leading to dropping out and crime.
Assessment equipment available for preschool assessments:
The READALYZER, from the Optometric Institute, analyzes eight eye movement functions while reading a paragraph established by research for each grade level. The CAPS platform, developed by Vestibular Technologies, analyses the ability of the brain to control upright posture, plus evaluating head movement and stability. A CAPS study is proceeding to establish normal stability values for 4 and 5 year old children.
SUMMARY: Delayed or impaired neurodevelopment is increasing in the preschool population, requiring increased financial resources for special education. Establishing objective standards for eye movement coordination before a child is taught to read, with testing and training in preschool, may improve academic performance, reduce dropouts and reduce the juvenile hall population.
Julie K Bjornson, DC, FACFN 5816 SE Riverboat Drive Stuart, FL 34997
References
J.K. Bjornson, Visagraph Visual Tracking During Reading and CAPS Postural Stability Compared to Academic GPA Performance of 70 High School Students. Front. Neurol. Conference Abstract: International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience; conf.fneur.2015.58.00071
Keywords:
preschool,
recidivism,
Vision,
Readalyzer,
stability,
Vestibular Function Tests,
Eye Movements,
gaze stability,
visual tracking,
Reading readiness,
compreshension,
functional literacy',
Reading assessment,
neurodevelopment
Conference:
International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience 2018, Orlando, Florida, United States, 24 May - 26 May, 2018.
Presentation Type:
Poster
Topic:
Clinical Applications in health, disease, and injury to the nervous system
Citation:
Bjornson
JK
(2018). A RECIDIVISM SOLUTION: Rationale for Brain-Centered Preschool Eye Movement Testing and Training.
Front. Neurol.
Conference Abstract:
International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience 2018.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fneur.2018.60.00104
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Received:
02 Apr 2018;
Published Online:
14 Dec 2018.
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Correspondence:
Dr. Julie K Bjornson, Carrick Institute, Cape Canaveral, United States, neurosecretary@live.com