Author: Olga Szemetylo

What are primitive reflexes?

Posted on by Olga Szemetylo

What are primitive reflexes?

Primitive reflexes begin in utero; they are repetitive, involuntary or automatic movements in response to stimuli that are essential for the development of head control, muscle tone, sensory integration and overall development.

developing fetus

They protect a developing fetus, aid the birthing process and contribute to later, more mature postural reflexes. As the baby grows, ideally these primitive reflexes will “integrate” into the growing brain. They will no longer be active Continue reading “What are primitive reflexes?” →

Visual Information Processing Skills and Dynamic Reading are important in a Vision Therapy program

Posted on by Olga Szemetylo

Why are Visual Information Processing Skills and Dynamic Reading important in a Vision Therapy program?

At Hope Clinic, Visual Information Processing training is fully integrated into a comprehensive Vision Therapy program.

Included is work in the areas of Visualization, Visually Guided Motor Skills, Visual Memory, Visual Discrimination, Visual Spatial Relationships, Visual Form Constancy, Visual Figure Ground, Visual Closure, and improved Reading Speed and Comprehension.

During most patients’ final phase of Vision Therapy, home therapy focus is on Reading Speed and Comprehension. Those who do the training typically double or triple their Continue reading “Visual Information Processing Skills and Dynamic Reading are important in a Vision Therapy program” →

Dr. Ted Kadet, OD has been a volunteer Boy Scout leader of Troop 419 for 20 years.

Posted on by Olga Szemetylo

Dr. Ted Kadet, OD, a volunteer Boy Scout leader of Troop 419

When asked, “What would you say to people who want to “give back” but don’t know where to start???” here is his reply. “Adopt the ATTITUDE of taking and giving back. Give up on the idea that you will get back from the same people you give to. No “tit for tat”. People have made a major shift in my life that I can never repay. Maybe I can be an influence or instrumental in making positive change in someone else’s life to balance that. Continue reading “Dr. Ted Kadet, OD has been a volunteer Boy Scout leader of Troop 419 for 20 years.” →

Brain Injury Awareness

Posted on by Olga Szemetylo

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.

As you may know, Dr. Kadet at Hope Clinic is a tremendous resource for diagnosing vision disorders in victims of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and has over 40 years of experience working with TBI patients to help them retrain their visual skills during their healing process. Our staff is well trained to administer compassionate individualized vision therapy to these patients under the supervision of Dr. Kadet.

The newest episode of the Adventures in Brain Injury Podcast is out!

We at Hope Clinic have some helpful resources to share with you related to this topic. First, we’d like you to know that the newest episode of the Adventures in Brain Injury Podcast is out. Continue reading “Brain Injury Awareness” →

Concussion : Parents Speak Out about the Visual Link to Recovery

Posted on by Olga Szemetylo

Will Smith’s new movie Concussion is likely to make parents think twice about having their children involved in contact sports like football and soccer.

But what about kids who have already had a concussion and are struggling to get back to learning? Parents of these children are stepping forward to share their experiences with the hope of helping others.

“Research has shown that approximately 70% of young athletes who suffer a concussion have eye coordination, focusing, and eye movement problems. Yet most parents are left on their own choose a health care professional who can help their child correct these problems,” shares Dr. Kara Heying, OD, FCOVD, President of College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Continue reading “Concussion : Parents Speak Out about the Visual Link to Recovery” →

School visits provide the link between classroom learning and vision therapy

Posted on by Olga Szemetylo

School visits provide the link between classroom learning and vision therapy

Lisa Knopp teams with schools for your child

In order to provide the best help to our patients who are children going to school, we are offering a service to our families. With written parent permission, Lisa Knopp will visit your child’s teacher(s) and other educators if desired (ie. counselors, tutors, principals) to help them understand how the child’s vision issues relate to their learning and classroom experience. She will provide Dr. Kadet’s vision report for the child and suggestions for classroom accommodations (when applicable), which will enhance the child’s learning in the classroom. Continue reading “School visits provide the link between classroom learning and vision therapy” →

Hope for Struggling Readers

Posted on by Olga Szemetylo

COVD Offers Hope for Struggling Readers

Every year when school resumes, educators, parents, and students strive to improve reading levels.

Problems reading

According to the Common Core Curriculum, “Students will be challenged and asked questions that push them to refer back to what they’ve read.” Yet, according to Ida Chung, OD, FCOVD, and President of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), “students who have eye coordination and eye movement problems struggle to read and have trouble remembering what they read which will make this task nearly impossible.” Continue reading “Hope for Struggling Readers” →

Why is Myopia increasing?

Posted on by Olga Szemetylo

Why is Myopia increasing?

Distance vision is all a blur to more of us.

A study finds that 17% more Americans have myopia than 30 years ago. Close-up computer/screen work could be a reason.

For an increasing number of Americans, life’s a blur. That’s according to a population-based study published Dec. 2011 showing that rates of myopia — difficulty seeing distant objects — are soaring. The trend is matched in many other countries, causing eye doctors to wonder what could be causing the decline in human vision. Continue reading “Why is Myopia increasing?” →

When “Back to School” is more like “Back to Struggle”…

Posted on by Olga Szemetylo

When “Back to School” is more like “Back to Struggle”…

The kids are back to school, into the full swing of new schedules, teachers, workloads and social contexts.

We always hope that our kids will be enthusiastic and happily adjusting to their new routines. But this transition time can be hard for many students, and because of their challenges and frequent complaints, it can be hard for their parents too. For students who have had academic or attention challenges in the past, the summer has given them a welcome relief from what they found school to be last school year….HARD.   Continue reading “When “Back to School” is more like “Back to Struggle”…” →