Dr. Steven Goedert, Optometrist

11/21/2025

Did you know some kids keep primitive reflexes they were supposed to outgrow as babies and it can quietly affect how their eyes work?

When reflexes like the ATNR or Moro stick around, kids may struggle to cross midline, track smoothly while reading, or coordinate their eyes and body. This can show up as losing their place in a book, tiring easily, mixed dominance, or trouble with balance and focus.

Vision therapy helps by integrating these reflexes through targeted movement and eye-tracking activities, strengthening brain-body communication and making reading, coordination, and daily tasks feel easier.

Small changes in reflexes can make a big difference in confidence and learning. If something feels “off,” a developmental vision evaluation can be a great first step.

https://ilslearningcorner.com/the-retained-primitive-reflexes-preventing-kids-from-crossing-the-midline/?fbclid=IwdGRleAOKvhVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeLmj3D2sYLkwJi6C3-_zIS8R-Nh23XF750ysVmNSJLPhFGMfPGyKiw0mzuO0_aem_2MGqIKj0Ikfc_onxTq5jzA

Children who struggle to cross the midline may have these retained Primitive Reflexes. Here's why integration is important for helping kids with cross lateral movement.

11/19/2025

The pincer grasp (thumb + index finger) is a key milestone that shows a child’s eyes, hands, and brain are working together. This skill sets the foundation for handwriting, buttoning, feeding, and overall fine motor control.

If your child struggles with picking up small items, using tweezers, or coordinating hand movements, vision therapy can help strengthen visual-motor skills in a fun, play-based way.

Small movements today → big independence tomorrow.

https://www.growinghandsonkids.com/what-is-a-pincer-grasp.html?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com&fbclid=IwdGRleAOKvWZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeDCcg5VlQfXMY6qU1mfCox3PbMqoaqmI8uuRJCOhPTXFmTgNL9UddiaaZz8c_aem_CwBmxEJVtOyI2roBzhiyyA

What is a pincer grasp? We'll take a look a pincer grasp development, plus easy, age-appropriate activities to promote pincer grasp.

11/17/2025

Did you know rhythm can play a powerful role in how children learn to read?

Clapping to a beat isn’t just fun — it strengthens the same neural pathways used for tracking words on a page, shifting focus, and processing visual information.
In vision therapy, we use rhythm-based activities to improve visual tracking, timing, coordination, and attention — all skills that support stronger reading development.

When a child can match a beat, they’re also building the visual-motor foundations needed to follow lines of text, maintain focus, and make sense of what they see.

Small exercises. Big brain-building impact.
That’s the magic of vision therapy.

11/14/2025

Did you know that swinging across monkey bars isn’t just fun — it’s vision brain training? When kids hang, reach, and move bar-to-bar, they’re building much more than muscles. Here’s how:
1. Visual-Motor Coordination
As your child reaches for the next rung, their brain is constantly calculating distance, timing, and hand placement. This hand-eye coordination strengthens neural pathways that support fine motor tasks like writing and drawing. 
2. Core Strength Supports Visual Control
A strong core and upper body help stabilize the head and torso, which makes smooth eye movements and visual tracking (like following a pen or a ball) easier. 
3. Sensory Input and Regulation
Hanging and swinging give proprioceptive (body-in-space) feedback and vestibular input (inner-ear movement sense), which are deeply tied to how children process visual information. 
4. Neural Myelination
Repetitive, strengthening movement (like on the monkey bars) helps myelination — the process that “insulates” nerve fibers so signals travel faster and more efficiently. That’s how strong motor control gets wired in early. 
5. Problem Solving + Persistence
Navigating monkey bars isn’t always easy. Kids learn to plan, take risks, and adjust as they go — building not just physical skills, but mental flexibility too. 

Vision Therapy Tip:
Encourage your child to swing, hang, or maneuver on monkey bars regularly. It’s a powerful, playful way to support visual processing, coordination, and sensory integration — all while building confidence.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/parenting/baby/development/102310156/how-monkey-bars-help-your-childs-brain?fbclid=IwdGRjcAOEMmZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeVYSJf_AE9kWr6gsS5Xd0_bezNImPEjGMRAtdWyAAN0ubn8YdVyKrxbTqLzQ_aem_HMN5mHGKaD43JhfH4fIaWA

Give children the time to walk themselves, let them help you carry the groceries, slow down and let them move.

11/12/2025

Childhood isn’t a race — it’s a journey.
Every child learns, grows, and sees the world in their own unique way. Vision therapy embraces this truth — helping children strengthen the connection between their eyes and brain at the pace that’s right for them.

It’s not about rushing to read, write, or keep up. It’s about giving their visual system the tools to succeed when they’re ready — so learning becomes natural, comfortable, and full of confidence.

Earlier is not better. The right time is when your child is ready.

11/10/2025

Mistakes aren’t setbacks — they’re signals that your brain is adjusting, building new pathways, and learning how to process visual information in stronger, more efficient ways.

Getting it right the first time might feel good, but getting it right after the struggle? That’s where real growth happens.

11/07/2025

Vision isn’t just about seeing clearly — it’s about connecting, learning, and thriving.

Just like family dinners strengthen communication and growth, vision therapy strengthens how the eyes, brain, and body work together.
When those connections are strong, kids focus better, read with ease, and perform stronger in school — and life.

🥦📚 Regular “visual workouts” can make just as big a difference as regular family meals.
Because when the eyes and brain communicate well, everything else falls into place.

11/05/2025

Every time your child uses their eyes with purpose — reading, building, playing catch, helping at home — their brain is learning how to see more efficiently.

Vision therapy strengthens those connections, helping kids build confidence, focus, and coordination from the inside out.

Strong vision is more than 20/20, it’s the foundation for learning, growth, and leadership.

11/03/2025

Unstructured play is more than just fun — it’s how children learn to see, move, and connect with the world around them.

Climbing, balancing, running, and exploring help build the visual and motor skills needed for reading, learning, and focus later on.
Vision is not just about 20/20 eyesight — it’s how the brain and body work together to make sense of what we see.

Let them play, explore, and get messy… their vision will thank you.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween 🎃

The real scary thing this season?
Not looking past a “20/20” diagnosis. 😱

Vision is so much more than seeing clearly — it’s how your mind and body connect to make sense of the world around you. From reading and sports to focus and balance, healthy visual skills are at the heart of it all.

This Halloween, don’t be haunted by hidden vision issues — schedule a vision therapy evaluation and see how connected your world can truly be. 🧡🕸️

10/29/2025

Even ghosts need good visual skills! 👀🎃
The Brock string isn’t just for humans — it’s a spooky good tool for improving eye teaming and convergence.

This Halloween, don’t let your vision play tricks on you — treat your eyes to a little vision therapy magic! ✨🕸️

10/27/2025

80% of learning happens through vision — but not all vision problems show up on an eye chart.
If your child struggles with reading or focus, it might be more than attention — it could be their eyes working overtime.

Good vision can set a child up for success from the start. Being able to see well is key to physical and social development and to learning. Not all children can see well, and many of them are unaware of their issue, leaving parents and caretakers unaware too.