What is Visual Information Processing?

Visual information processing, or visual perception, refers to the immediate, automatic ability to process and interpret meaning from visual symbols and information we gain through vision. The perceptual skills assessment allows us to determine specific areas of strengths and weakness that are fundamental to the learning process, such as learning to spell, reading, and following math concepts. Someone may be able to see letters clearly but have difficulty piecing the information together to make sense of the word. If visual perception is not developed properly, one may require extra cognitive effort and time to perform academic/work tasks such as reading and writing.

Areas of Visual Information Processing:

  • Visual discrimination: Ability to visually discriminate similarities and differences

  • Visual memory: Ability to remember characteristics of a given form

  • Spatial relations: Ability to see differences among forms when one is oriented differently than the others

  • Form constancy: Ability to recognize a shape regardless of rotation or size difference

  • Sequential memory: Ability to recall a series or sequence of forms

  • Visual figure ground: Ability to visually attend to a form among a cluttered background

  • Visual closure: Ability to visualize a complete picture from an incomplete one

  • Visual motor integration: ability to coordinate visual information with fine motor movements

  • Directionality/Laterality: ability to recognize left from right, important in letter reversals

The Visual Information Processing exam is performed if indicated after the Visual Skills Assessment has been completed. We believe in a collaborative care approach with other health professionals. If you think you or someone you know may have a vision related learning issue, call us at (905) 239-5678 to schedule your Visual Skills Assessment.