HOUSTON–When a child acts out in school or doesn’t pay attention in class, hyperactivity or a learning disability may not be the cause. The actual culprit may be something as simple and treatable as hearing or vision loss.
According to an RSS feed from Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), doctors there advise that what appears to be a behavioral issue for students who encounter difficulty in school may actually be a hearing or vision problem. Dr. James H. Bray, an associate professor of family and community medicine, explains, “If a child cannot hear or see properly, they cannot pay attention in class.”
Often, says Bray, children are too young to understand that they have a problem hearing or seeing that interferes with their learning. They may think they are hearing what the teacher is saying, and not realize how much they are missing or misunderstanding. In some cases, children are aware of the problem, but are too embarrassed to say anything. In any case, the problem is likely to prevent the child from making normal progress in school.
TIME FOR A TEST
That’s why Bray believes it is crucial for the child to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. He says, “Before a parent begins to worry, a family medicine doctor or pediatrician can conduct a basic hearing and vision test that can identify if a hearing or vision specialist is needed, or if another problem is to blame.” He adds, “They can keep an eye on these issues by making hearing and vision tests a part of their families annual check ups.”
Bray notes that once a diagnosis is made there may be simple solutions such as making sure a child sits in the front of the class.
