It does sound a bit in the dyslexic range. Actually sounds quite familiar to me (though I don't have dyslexia.) Interesting given the common strabismus starting point.

So, if I want to remember verbal information, I have to visualize or doodle or find a pattern in it. Definitely need the top down view of things... I can't see the trees if I don't first see the forest. It may be he needs help in finding these kind of strategies, or it could be something else.