What to expect during your Visual Information Processing Evaluation.
Seeing clearly is only the first step. This evaluation measures how the brain makes sense of what the eyes see, the visual-perceptual skills behind reading, writing, spelling, math and copying from the board.
Vision has two parts.
The eyes take in an image. Then the brain has to interpret it: recognize shapes and letters, notice small differences, remember what was seen and understand where things are in space. Those interpreting skills are called visual-perceptual skills.
A child can have 20/20 eyesight and still have trouble telling b from d, remembering a spelling word they just saw or lining up numbers in a math problem. When your Binocular Vision Evaluation points to academic concerns, this evaluation shows which visual-perceptual skills are strong and which are behind.
Signs this evaluation can help explain
- Reversing letters or numbers past early elementary school
- Confusing similar words like was and saw
- Trouble remembering sight words from day to day
- Slow, effortful copying from the board or a book
- Messy handwriting, poor spacing or writing off the lines
- Misaligned numbers and careless errors in math
- Getting overwhelmed by busy worksheets
- Understands material read aloud, but not when reading alone
The tests we use.
These standardized tests are typically part of the Visual Information Processing Evaluation. Each one looks at a different part of how the eyes and brain take in and use visual information.
Developmental Eye Movement (DEM) Test
Reading columns and rows of numbers aloud. It measures how accurately and efficiently the eyes move across a line, separately from naming speed.
Eye trackingVisual Tracing Test
Following tangled lines with the eyes only, without using a finger, to find where each one ends.
Tracking · visual attentionWold Sentence Copy Test
Copying a printed sentence onto lines below it. It measures how quickly and accurately what is seen is transferred to paper.
Visual-motor copyingPiaget Left/Right Awareness Test
Answering questions about left and right on yourself, on another person and between objects. Often part of the Piaget-Head battery.
Laterality · directionalityTest of Visual Perceptual Skills (TVPS)
A standardized test of seven visual-perceptual skills that doesn't require drawing or writing. Each skill is described below.
Visual perceptionSeven visual-perceptual skills.
A child can be strong in some skills and weak in others, which is why the TVPS tests each one. Here's what each part of the test asks.
Visual Discrimination
Find the image in a field of five that matches the target.
b vs. d · was vs. sawVisual Memory
Remember a target image shown for 5 seconds and select it from a new field.
Sight words · copyingSpatial Relationships
Find the image that differs from the others in a set.
Left / right · reversalsForm Constancy
Find a matching image that may be rotated, resized or embedded.
Print vs. handwritingSequential Memory
Remember a sequence of elements shown for 5 seconds and identify the match.
Spelling · phone numbersVisual Figure-Ground
Find a target image hidden inside a complex background design.
Crowded worksheetsVisual Closure
Match an incomplete target figure to its completed form.
Fast word recognitionWhat happens during your evaluation.
Check in
We review your concerns and any school or therapy reports you've brought.
Standardized testing
Standardized tests such as the DEM, Visual Tracing, Wold Sentence Copy, Piaget Left/Right Awareness and TVPS. See the tests.
Compared to age level
Results are scored against age-level norms, so we can see exactly which skills are on track and which are behind.
Doctor consultation
At your consultation, Dr. Toler reviews the findings and recommendations with you, including whether visual-perceptual training is right.
A few things help your visit go smoothly.
What to bring
- Glasses or contacts, if prescribed
- Recent school reports, report cards or teacher notes
- Any IEP, 504 plan, tutoring or occupational therapy reports
- A list of your main concerns and questions
Day-of tips
- A good night's sleep the night before
- A snack beforehand, so energy and focus stay steady
- Let your child know it's puzzles and games, not a test they can fail
After your evaluation
Answers about the visual part of learning, and a plan to build the skills that are behind.
What comes next
- A clear picture of which skills tested below age level
- An individualized plan targeting those skills, alongside any eye-teaming or focusing needs
- One-on-one visual-perceptual training with a Vision Therapist, if recommended
- Progress evaluations that re-test each skill so you can see what has improved
Where it fits in
Learning depends on many systems working together: language, attention, memory, motor skills and vision. Visual-perceptual training doesn't replace reading instruction, tutoring or occupational therapy, and it isn't a treatment for dyslexia.
It addresses the visual part of the picture. With your permission, we're happy to share results with teachers, tutors, occupational therapists or your pediatrician so everyone works toward the same goals.
Evaluation fee
Payment is due at the time of service. See all programs and fees.
Insurance
We're a fee-for-service practice and don't bill or submit claims to insurance. The CPT code for visual processing testing is 96112.
Insurance and out-of-network benefits →Using FES-UA funds?
We're an approved provider for the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) through Step Up For Students.
How to reserve your FES-UA funds →Common questions
How long is the Visual Information Processing Evaluation?
About 60 minutes.
How much does it cost?
The Visual Information Processing Evaluation is $195. It's FES-UA approved through Step Up For Students.
What tests are included?
Typical testing includes the Developmental Eye Movement (DEM) Test, the Visual Tracing Test, the Wold Sentence Copy Test, the Piaget Left/Right Awareness Test and the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills (TVPS), which covers visual discrimination, visual memory, spatial relationships, form constancy, sequential memory, visual figure-ground and visual closure.
Why was this evaluation recommended?
It's usually recommended after a Binocular Vision Evaluation when there are academic concerns such as reading, writing, spelling or math. It measures how the brain processes and uses what the eyes see.
My child has 20/20 vision. Could they still have a visual-perceptual problem?
Yes. 20/20 only measures how clearly someone sees letters on a chart. Visual-perceptual skills are about how the brain processes and uses that image, and they aren't tested in school screenings or most routine eye exams.
Is this a test for dyslexia?
No. This evaluation looks at the visual part of learning. It doesn't diagnose or treat dyslexia, and visual-perceptual training doesn't replace reading instruction, tutoring or occupational therapy.
Will you share results with my child's school or therapists?
With your permission, we're happy to share results with your child's teachers, tutors, occupational therapist or pediatrician so everyone is working toward the same goals.
Do you take insurance?
Hope Vision is fee-for-service and doesn't bill insurance. The CPT code for visual processing testing is 96112. See our insurance page for out-of-network details.
Questions before your visit?
Our Patient Care Coordinator is happy to help with scheduling, FES-UA funds or anything else.