How Vision and Reflexes Impact Learning and Reading—What to Check

If a child you know is struggling with learning or reading difficulties, there may be underlying motor-based issues at play. Many people don’t realize how much vision and reflex integration affect a child’s ability to read, track words on a page, or even catch a ball.

Here are two key tests you can do to check if motor function is contributing to learning struggles.

1. Checking for Visual Suppression

One crucial issue to look for is visual suppression, which happens when a child’s brain ignores input from one eye. This can lead to poor depth perception, trouble reading, and difficulty tracking words across a page.

How to Test for Visual Suppression

• Use red-green glasses and a matching chart

• Ask the child to identify colors on the chart

• If they can only see one color per eye, their eyes aren’t working together properly

In the case of one child we tested, he completely suppressed images from his right eye and only used his left. This happened because his eyes couldn’t converge (focus together) well enough, leading his brain to shut off input from one eye to avoid double vision.

Why This Matters

• Loss of depth perception—makes it harder to judge distances, affecting reading and physical activities like catching a ball

• Reading difficulties—poor eye convergence makes it hard to track words smoothly across a page

• Motor coordination issues—if they struggle with activities like sports, visual suppression may be part of the problem

If your child has trouble reading, tracking, or catching a ball, this could be a key factor!

2. Checking for an Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

Another important reflex to check is the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR). This reflex should disappear by six months of age, before a baby starts crawling. If it’s still present, it can interfere with eye tracking and alignment, making reading more difficult.

How to Test for ATNR

1. Have the child get on their hands and knees

2. Turn their head to one side

3. If their opposite arm falls out, this reflex is still active

Why This Matters

• Delays in crawling—Children with retained ATNR often had trouble with army crawling or crawling properly

• Poor eye tracking—This reflex can prevent smooth side-to-side eye movements, making reading and focusing difficult

• Connection to visual suppression—If the eyes can’t align properly, it increases the chance of visual suppression, which can further impact learning

What to Do Next

If you notice visual suppression or retained reflexes, it’s important to take action. Here are some next steps:

• Have their eyes checked by a professional to confirm visual suppression

• Work on reflex integration through movement exercises that help the brain and body coordinate better

• Support motor development with activities that improve balance, coordination, and eye tracking

By addressing these underlying motor and visual challenges, you can significantly improve a child’s ability to read, learn, and move with confidence. If your child struggles with reading or motor skills, these tests are a great place to start!