Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional Behavioral Optometrist - Vision Software - Risks?

I had a question for those of you whose children are using the HTS software. DS just started a couple of weeks ago, and when I looked at his performance, I saw he started at 95% and moved up to 97%. My question is where did your children start? If he's at 95% to start, why does he need it? Or do they start it so low and easy everyone starts at 95%?

Also, I left a message with the optometrist. DS complains about the convergence base in (?) saying it's making him cross-eyed (and the optometrist said that's okay) and it makes him see cross-eyed after he's done. She explained to me that that's normal - like going to the gym and having tired muscles afterward. But the other day, DS was looking at something close up and I saw him go cross-eyed, and I never saw him do that before - except when he was fooling around. I have not had him do exercises since.

Do any of you know of any risks with the exercises?

I'm a bit concerned.

It sounds like you maybe have different software than my DS has. The software he has starts off very easy and gets harder as you go along. After awhile it was very hard for him to pass several of the activities although he was getting 100's on them to begin with. It's supposed to adjust somehow. I don't know of anything that made him cross-eyed though and didn't see any evidence of any risks involved in the software my DS was doing. But like I said, maybe it is different. If you're concerned, call the doctor again and really stress your concern, especially if he is doing it at other times too.

I can't speak to involuntary cross-eyed-ness (???), but I know that it is good for eyes for people to choose to go cross-eyed. It strengthens the muscles. Contrary to what moms used to tell kids, your eyes won't stick that way in real life (normally!).

Now, why they are staying that way for your son, I'm not sure. I'd definitely talk to the doctor about it--not just the assistant!--and pronto.

Thanks, Kriston, this is what the doctor told me, too:



And thanks EandCMom, you answered my question. The kids start out at a high percentage b/c it's set to an easy level.

FWIW, DS loves the vision therapy, except for the one exercise.