Beginning in the womb, infants are equipped with automatic movements essential for a baby’s development.  These movements are known as primitive reflexes; they help in the birthing process and aid in survival during the first year of life.  Between six and twelve months of age these reflexes integrate into more advanced movements.  Inhibition of the primitive reflexes correlates to the transition from involuntary movements to controlled movement skills essential to developmental milestones.   

If one or more of the primitive reflexes do not integrate, they are considered retained, and the child exhibits developmental delays.  Retained primitive reflexes can cause a wide variety of challenges, including,  but not limited to; hypersensitivity to visual or auditory stimuli; underdeveloped speech; poor ocular motor skills; visual perceptual challenges; poor balance, posture, and overall coordination; fidgeting; inability to sit still; and poor concentration.

With treatment, retained primitive reflexes can be integrated through specific therapeutic movement activities.

Join us January 21st to discuss primitive reflexes and their integration, including demonstrations of activities used during treatment.

Dr. Ronald Berger

We are excited to announce the addition of Dr. Ronald Berger to The Center for Vision Development. Dr. Berger joins Drs. Kungle and O'Meara after owning his own practice in Howard County for over 30 years.  He specializes in developmental optometry, vision therapy, sports vision, and primary care optometry. Dr. Ronald Berger obtained his professional degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1975.  He has been a Sports Vision Consultant for several NFL teams along with the Washington Capitals.  Dr. Berger is the principal investigator of a research project enhancing cognitive ability of traumatic brain injury patients.

He will be available for appointments in our Annapolis office starting the last week in August. Please call 410-268-4393 for appointment times.

A letter we received from the mother of a vision therapy graduate!

"Rachel started vision therapy when she was four years old and it was an amazing experience...

Before attending vision therapy, Rachel had been in OT for over a year without much improvement.  She wouldn't cross her midline and had difficulty writing or even copying letters and simple shapes. She knew all the objects but was not able to translate this  to her hand.  Rachel also seemed very clumsy; falling, stumbling, and bumping into things that have been there her whole life.  Her OT evaluation supposed she needed to strengthen her core.

While doing an exercise in OT Rachel got dizzy and nauseated, after which her OT therapist recommended a vision evaluation.  The evaluation with Dr. Kungle revealed that Rachel had no depth perception (not using her eyes together) and was not using her peripheral vision.  She also moved only her head, not her eyes.  We started therapy twice a week.  We weren't optimistic because of the little improvement we saw during OT.  But, we were amazed that within 4 weeks Rachel was writing her name, letters, and drawing pictures.  Something she wouldn't do without being asked and prodded.  Rachel's coordination improved.  She wasn't falling or running into things.  She became more confident and started riding her bike and scooter.  She didn't have a "weak" core and graduated from OT soon after starting vision therapy.

We are so thankful to Dr. Kungle, Wendy, and all the staff for their patience and expertise.  We are so thankful for this type of therapy.  Rachel is bright.  Without vision therapy Rachel might have been labeled as "slow" because she wouldnt be able to take in information with her eyes and then translate it as easily as the majority of us.  I know that school would be much more of a struggle for Rachel and her confidence would have deteriorated.  Rachel has become quite the artist.  By doing some of the exercises in vision therapy, Rachel has learned vital skills that help her in many aspects in school and in life.  Thanks to The Center for Vision Development for saving Rachel from a lifetime of possible struggles throughout school and life."

Check out this USA TODAY article feat. LARRY FITZGERALD!

If anyone knows the importance of having healthy vision, it's NFL superstar,

Larry Fitzgerald.  Click the link below to read how he has utilized his vision training to excel on the grid iron as well in his everyday life.

Healthy Vision & Hearing Article from USA Today

Hear from our recent graduate, Allison Keller

Allison’s Success Story in her own words:

"Whenever I would look up at the board it was blurry or doubled.  And I play soccer so whenever the ball came at me I would get confused.  I also do band, so when I had a solo in the beginning of the year there was no way I could play it, so I memorized it, now I play not needing to memorize notes.  At school they make us read out loud, I would get nervous, stutter, repeat words, and it held up the class because it was so slow.  Now I read faster and more clear than half of the kids in my class.  Sometimes at school I would open the wrong locker or grab the wrong copybook.  I can read the menu at restaurants, and I’m not afraid to read.  People would ask me why I’m so slow at reading and I would say I don’t know but now I do and I’m extremely glad it’s all better!"

Congratulations Allison!  We are all very proud of your hard work!

InfantSEE Seminar

FREE SEMINAR 02/20/2013