If reading ends in tears, meltdowns, or “I hate this,” this episode reframes the conversation.

We unpack a common misunderstanding: reading struggles aren’t always about motivation, intelligence, dyslexia, or ADHD. Reading is first a visual task — and there’s a critical difference between eyesight (20/20 clarity) and vision (how efficiently the brain uses the eyes).

You’ll learn:

1. How visual inefficiencies can mimic ADHD
2. Why some children labeled dyslexic may also have undetected visual challenges
3. The signs of tracking, focusing, and eye teaming issues
4. What to look for at home
5. When to seek a comprehensive visual evaluation

(00:04) Intro
(00:37) When Your Child Hates Reading
(01:08) It’s Not Laziness or Lack of Motivation
(02:30) What Should Parents Do First?
(02:55) Dyslexia: Diagnosis & Misconceptions
(04:29) Why a Behavioral Optometry Exam Comes First
(05:02) 20/20 Eyesight vs. True Vision
(06:00) Tracking, Focus & Why Reading Feels So Hard
(07:34) ADHD vs. Vision Problems
(08:42) Can Kids Have Multiple Issues?
(09:30) Compensating vs. Fixing the Root Cause
(10:43) Dr. Collier’s Personal Story with Double Vision
(12:06) Punishment vs. Understanding the Struggle
(13:29) Tapping Into What Your Child Loves
(14:00) When Kids Decide “I’m Not a Reader”
(16:20) Catching Vision Issues Early
(18:45) Building Perseverance the Right Way
(19:02) Tracking Progress & Celebrating Wins
(20:33) Where to Start If Your Child Is Struggling
(21:22) Finding a Behavioral Optometrist
(21:46) 4D Built to Read Program
(22:01) Outro

If your child avoids reading, it may not be defiance — it may be discomfort. It could be their eyes! Start with understanding.

👀 What is vision therapy really like for a child?

In this special episode, we hear directly from Wesley, an 8-year-old vision therapy graduate, who bravely shares his experience in his own words. Wesley walks us through what an eye exam feels like for a kid, what was hard for him before vision therapy, and how things changed after completing his program.

This episode offers parents a rare, honest look at vision therapy from the child’s perspective—helping families understand what their child might experience and why the work is worth it.

🧠 In This Episode, Wesley Shares:

1. What an eye exam is like when you’re a kid
2. What he was struggling with before starting vision therapy
3. How vision therapy helped him at school and in daily life
4. His favorite vision therapy activities
5. Encouraging advice for kids who are currently doing vision therapy

💡 Why This Episode Matters

1. Hearing directly from a child helps demystify vision therapy for parents and kids alike
2. Kids often describe their challenges differently than adults—and those insights matter
3. Success stories from children can help normalize the process and reduce anxiety for families just starting out

(00:00) Intro
(00:35) Meet Wesley – A Kid’s Perspective
(01:16) What Happens During an Eye Exam?
(03:15) Distance Vision & Teamwork Between the Eyes
(04:29) Vision Processing & Eye-Brain Connection
(05:02) When Words Look Double
(06:25) How Vision Therapy Helped (Without Glasses)
(06:52) Favorite Activity: Slap Tap
(07:57) Most Challenging Exercise: Michigan Tracking
(09:05) Reading & Math Improvements (Mad Minute Explained)
(10:26) Book Recommendations – I Survived Series
(11:49) Graphic Novels vs. Chapter Books
(13:02) Why Some Kids Don’t Realize They See Double
(14:15) Advice for Kids Starting Vision Therapy
(15:16) Outro

❤️ A Note for Parents

If you’re considering vision therapy for your child or your child is currently in a program, this episode offers reassurance, perspective, and encouragement—from someone who’s been there and come out stronger on the other side.

🎧 Listen & Share

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another family who may be wondering what vision therapy is like for kids.

Vision therapy is often discussed in the context of young children—but what about older kids and teens who are struggling academically, athletically, or emotionally and have been told they’re “too old” to benefit?

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Eric Chow, OD, a functional optometrist and owner of Miami Vision Therapy, to explore how vision therapy can be effectively delivered to older children and teens through innovative digital models. Dr. Chow shares insights from his clinical experience, his journey as a practice owner, and the development of his digital vision therapy program, See Your Potential: Brain Core Training.

Together, we discuss how modern vision therapy is evolving to meet families where they are—without compromising clinical integrity or outcomes.

🧠 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Dr. Chow’s path into functional optometry and vision therapy
• How See Your Potential: Brain Core Training supports teens and their families through a digital vision therapy model
• What parents should be asking when their older child is struggling
• Critical questions eye doctors should consider when evaluating next steps for teens
• How digital programs can expand access while maintaining quality care
• Where Dr. Chow sees the future of vision therapy headed

(00:00) Intro
(00:35) Meet Dr. Eric Chow
(01:30) See Your Potential
(02:19) Why Digital Vision Therapy
(03:30) Expanding Care Beyond the Clinic
(04:00) The Evolution of Vision Therapy
(05:02) Binocular Vision Dysfunction
(06:34) Getting the Right Diagnosis
(07:56) A Teen Patient Story
(09:00) What Parents Should Ask
(12:14) Questions for Your Eye Doctor
(15:12) Motivating Older Kids
(17:22) Gamification in Vision Therapy
(18:17) Real-Life Patient Results
(20:24) Why Not Apps or YouTube?
(22:02) Brain Core Training Explained
(23:10) Bringing Expert Care Home
(24:39) The Accessibility Gap
(25:26) The Future of Vision Therapy
(28:15) Vision & Brain Health

🔗 Resources & Links

• Visit Miami Vision Therapy: https://www.miamivt.com/
• Explore additional resources from It Could Be Your Eyes: https://www.4dvisiontherapyathome.com/

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.
If this episode was helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a family or provider who could benefit from this conversation.

ADHD and anxiety are often discussed as purely neurological or psychological conditions — but vision can play a powerful and frequently missed role.

In this episode, we break down how functional vision problems can create symptoms that look like inattention, restlessness, avoidance, and anxiety. From eye teaming and tracking issues to binocular vision dysfunction, you’ll learn why visual inefficiency places extra strain on the brain and how that strain can show up behaviorally and emotionally.

If you or your child struggle with focus, reading, or visual overwhelm — even with “perfect” eyesight — this episode offers a new lens to consider.

In This Episode, We Cover

1. Why passing a vision screening does not rule out vision problems
2. How visual inefficiency can look like ADHD
3. Common vision conditions that affect attention and learning
4. The connection between vision problems and anxiety
5. Why misdiagnosis happens so often
6. What kind of eye exam to ask for
7. Practical next steps for parents and adults

(00:04) Intro
(00:35) Vision, Behavior & Mental Health
(00:57) Are These Symptoms Really Neurological?
(01:14) When the Brain Works Too Hard to See
(01:34) What This Episode Will Cover
(01:54) The Vision Screening Misconception
(02:14) 20/20 Eyesight vs Functional Vision
(02:45) When Vision Problems Look Behavioral
(03:00) ADHD-Like Symptoms Explained
(03:21) Visual Fatigue vs Poor Attention
(04:12) Why Kids Can’t Explain Vision Struggles
(04:26) Convergence Insufficiency
(05:04) Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)
(05:57) Eye Tracking & Oculomotor Dysfunction
(06:25) The Vision–Anxiety Connection
(07:16) What Anxiety Looks Like in Children
(07:43) Why Misdiagnosis Happens
(08:24) Vision as Part of the Diagnostic Process
(08:45) What Kind of Eye Exam to Ask For
(09:07) Finding a Functional Vision Specialist
(09:30) Vision Care as a Complement
(10:18) Vision Therapy at Home Options
(10:49) Advocating for Yourself or Your Child
(11:06) Final Takeaway
(11:35) Closing & Next Steps

Helpful Resources & References

Diagnosis & Next Steps

1. 4D Vision Therapy at Home— Digital Vision Therapy programs for children and adults https://www.4dvisiontherapyathome.com/
2. OVDRA — The Optometrists in Visual Development and Rehabilitation Association https://www.ovdra.org/
3. Vision Specialists — Is It ADHD or a Vision Problem?
4. https://vision-specialists.com/adhd-symptoms-and-treatment-is-it-adhd-or-is-it-your-eyes/

ADHD & Vision

1. ADDitude Magazine — ADHD and Vision Problems
2. https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-and-vision-problems-understanding-symptoms/
3. Clarendon Vision — How Are ADHD and Vision Problems Related?
4. https://www.clarendonvision.com/our-blog/how-are-adhd-and-vision-problems-related.html
5. Cook Vision Therapy — ADHD and Vision: How Eye Problems Affect Attention
6. https://www.cookvisiontherapy.com/adhd-and-vision-how-eye-problems-affect-attention/

Binocular Vision & Attention

1. Dizziness & Headache — Why Binocular Vision Dysfunction Is Often Mistaken for ADHD

Many homeschooling parents face the same question: Why is my child struggling to read—even though they’re bright, motivated, and getting plenty of practice?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Brandon Walley, a behavioral optometrist and homeschooling dad who has combined his clinical expertise and personal experience to create a digital, at-home vision therapy program specifically for homeschool families. He shares how visual development impacts reading, what signs parents should look for, and how a vision-based approach can unlock new levels of learning confidence.

Whether you’re a homeschooling parent, educator, or healthcare provider, this conversation sheds light on the often-overlooked visual skills behind reading and learning success.

Key Takeaways

• Struggles with reading aren’t always about phonics or attention—sometimes, they’re rooted in how the brain processes visual information.
• Homeschooling provides a unique opportunity to observe and address visual learning challenges early.
• At-home vision therapy programs can make evidence-based interventions more accessible to families everywhere.

Resources & Links

• Learn more about Dr. Walley’s program, Vision Foundations for Learning, here: https://launch-4d.mn.co/
• Explore vision therapy resources from the It Could Be Your Eyes team: 4dvisiontherapyathome.com
• Follow Dr. Walley and his team at colliervision.com

In this episode, we explore how vision training and vision therapy intersect with brain health, particularly in high-impact sports like football and cheerleading. We dig into concussion statistics, the emerging technologies for monitoring head impacts, and how targeted visual training might play a role in both preventing and recovering from concussions. We also bring in expert voices and share real-world athlete stories to make it concrete and actionable for coaches, parents, trainers, and athletes alike.

Football concussion stats:

1. Tackling causes nearly 2 out of 3 concussions in high school football; running plays cause ~half of concussions; linebackers and running backs are particularly vulnerable CDC.

Cheerleading concussion stats:

1. Cheer takes a bigger hit than you might expect: in one study, cheerleading surpassed football in concussion risk rates Concussion Alliance.
2. Nearly 96% of concussions in cheerleading are stunt-related, especially among bases (contact from another athlete) and flyers (contact with ground) Concussion AllianceHEADCHECK Health.
3. From 2001–2012, cheerleading-related concussion/closed head injury rates soared by 290% among children aged 5–18 The Sport Journal.
4. In a Miami-Dade County study (2015–2019), cheerleaders with concussions were held out an average of 26 days, and 38% had prolonged recoveries (>28 days) The Sport Journal.

Check out our Digital Programs

• 4D Built for Life
• Start your FREE TRIAL today 4D Built to Read Digital Program
• Concussion Recovery
• Built to Drive

Follow us at 4D Vision Gym on Facebook and Instagram @4dvisiongymvt for the latest news and updates. DM us if you have any Vision Therapy related questions - you may hear the answer in a future episode!

If you enjoyed this show, please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. We really appreciate your support!
Send us a screenshot of your review and receive 10% off any one of our 4D Vision Gym products or services. And if your friends or family are experiencing inexplicable challenges, refer them to this podc

“Movement drives brain development, and very rarely do you see movement when there is a screen involved.”

Primitive reflexes play a critical role in child development, but what happens when they don’t integrate as expected? In this episode, we’re joined by pediatric occupational therapist and ADHD specialist Jenna Downs from Stronger Roots Therapy. Together, we explore how these early reflexes shape motor, sensory, and visual development—and how their persistence can mimic or worsen symptoms often linked to ADHD, learning difficulties, and vision challenges.

From crawling and handwriting struggles to posture, screen time, and the impact of retained reflexes on focus and reading, Jenna breaks down what parents and educators should know. Most importantly, she shares practical strategies and hope for families navigating these concerns, highlighting the power of neuroplasticity and early interventions.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s fidgeting, difficulty concentrating, or visual struggles might have deeper developmental roots, this conversation will open your eyes to new possibilities for growth and support.

(00:00) Intro
(00:38) Meet Jenna Downs: Pediatric Occupational Therapist
(02:22) Nature’s role in growth
(03:10) The impact of screen time
(04:23) What's happening to handwriting skills?
(08:20) Why risk-taking matters
(11:40) Social skills and the COVID-19 effect
(13:11) Primitive reflexes explained
(16:27) The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
(21:26) What is proprioceptive feedback?
(22:23) Building core strength: Athleticism vs. Core Stability
(25:11) 4D Built to Read Digital Program
(26:06) ADHD and retained reflexes - The crawling connection
(30:27) Addressing retained reflexes
(32:53) Parental role in neuroplasticity
(38:43) Resources

RESOURCES

• Follow strongerrootstherapy
• Visit strongerrootstherapy.com
• Check out harkla.co

Check out our Digital Programs

• 4D Built for Life
• Start your FREE TRIAL today 4D Built to Read Digital Program
• Concussion Recovery
• Built to Drive

Follow us at 4D Vision Gym on Facebook and Instagram @4dvisiongymvt for the latest news and updates. DM us if you have any Vision Therapy related questions - you may hear the answer in a future episode!

If you enjoyed this show, please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. We really appreciate your support!
Send us a screenshot of your review and receive 10% off any one of our 4D Vision Gym products or services. And if your friends or family are experiencing inexplicable challenges, refer them to this podcast and tell them, “It Could Be Your Eyes.”

"90% of the information that we use while we're driving to make safe and appropriate decisions is visual in nature."

When we think of driving skills, most of us imagine rules of the road, practice hours, or reaction time. But what if the biggest factor in safe driving isn’t about practice at all, but it’s about vision?

Today, Jessica explores the critical role visual skills play in driving safely and confidently. From peripheral awareness and depth perception to processing speed and visual memory, vision is at the heart of every decision we make behind the wheel.

You’ll also hear real-life examples—from avoiding unexpected road hazards to helping teens and rehabilitating drivers—showing how vision therapy and targeted training can make all the difference. Whether it’s a young driver preparing for their test, someone recovering from a brain injury, or a neurodiverse individual seeking independence, strengthening visual skills is the key to safer roads.

If you’re a parent, a driving instructor, or someone who simply wants to feel more confident behind the wheel, this episode will open your eyes to how vision training can transform driving safety.

(00:00) Intro
(00:33) Importance of visual processing in driving
(04:56) Visual awareness on the road
(06:29) Challenges for rehabilitating drivers and understanding visual processing pathways
(09:36) Vision therapy for neurodiverse individuals
(11:37) Preparing teens for safe driving
(13:20) Vision therapy benefits for drivers
(15:16) Built to Drive programs
(17:25) Final thoughts and contact information

RESOURCES

• 4D Vision Gym at home

Check out our Digital Programs

• 4D Built for Life
• Start your FREE TRIAL today 4D Built to Read Digital Program
• Concussion Recovery
• Built to Drive

Follow us at 4D Vision Gym on Facebook and Instagram @4dvisiongymvt for the latest news and updates. DM us if you have any Vision Therapy related questions - you may hear the answer in a future episode!

If you enjoyed this show, please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. We really appreciate your support!
Send us a screenshot of your review and receive 10% off any one of our 4D Vision Gym products or services. And if your friends or family are experiencing inexplicable challenges, refer them to this podcast and tell them, “It Could Be Your Eyes.”