Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional Convergence Disorders & iPhones, iPads, Kindles...

Hi all! Asking here and hoping for help since there do seem to be a number of us who have children with convergencey insufficieny. My son, as many of you may recall, has "intermittent convergent strabismus" and he loves to use his iPhone. However, I have noticed that the iPhone is greatly exacerbating his vision disorder and convergence issues and there is a big diffference in his symptoms when he is without the iPhone. I am thinking that perhaps the iPhone is one of the poorest types of choices for a child with a convergency issues because it is so small. However, being without this type of technology in this day and age is almost an impossibility. So, what is a good choice of this type of technology for children with convergence insufficiency? I am wondering would an iPad be better because it is bigger? Ditto a Kindle Fire? Or should he really just stick to a laptop. Anyone know or have experiences to share on this? Thank you for any help and advice!

My son's issue is different and he seems to do fine on variousdevices. But I have some remaining strabismus along with permanent effects of amblyopia. I find phone screens and Nintendo DS type devices very fatiguing. I know in general even on a computer, I need to look up relatively frequently and make sure my eyes are roving. Many games seem to lead to a more intense focus with less thought to looking away. I don't have similar fatigue issues using the new iPad as as I do with smaller screen devices but in general I find the larger the screen the better off I am overall. The iPad also has free access to apps we've had for the iPhone.

Thanks Zen, that was hepful!


I am thinking of getting the Kindle Fire so that I can make fonts bigger and easier on his eyes than books (the regular books with small print bother his eyes too) and just having play games on the laptop. Limiting iphone as much as possible.