Visual Processing
Visual processing is the ability to perceive, analyze, synthesize and include the ability to store and recall visual representations.
Perception, internalization, and reproduction of visual stimuli contribute to the learning and educational process, and is especially important in early education.
In older adults, recalling visual representations, forming visuospatial correlations and constructional praxis contributes to the quality of life.
Visual cognitive abilities vary across individuals, as they understand and interpret differently based on their respective abilities to perceive and internalize visual stimuli.
The Ackerman Model of Skill Acquisition
The Ackerman model of skill acquisition (Ackerman, 1989) divides skill acquisition into three stages.
The first is skill acquisition, an understanding of tasks is achieved and general cognitive abilities such as verbal, numerical and figural are most important.
In the second stage, performance of the task becomes quicker as learners try out various methods of simplifying or streamlining tasks. This is the phase where perceptual speed has its greatest impact.
On the third stage of skill acquisition, performance of tasks becomes automatic, and psychomotor abilities influence performance.
Perceptual speed in cognitive ability is defined as “Speed in comparing figures or symbols, scanning to find figures or symbols or carrying out other very simple tasks involving visual perception.”
Neuropsychological Localization
Several neurodevelopmental deficiencies known today are related to visual perceptual, motor, and neuropsychological integration, and problem-solving functions.
Neuropsychologists ascribe these functions to different parts of the brain. For example, the right hemisphere and the motor cortex opposite the dominant hand control visual and motor functions, and the brainstem is associated with visual-motor integration.
A lack of development, injury or deterioration in these areas may affect visual perceptual, motor, and neuropsychological functions and/or their integration in an individual.
statistics
learning disabilities
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 13-17% of the students enrolled in public schools in the U.S. have learning disabilities of various kinds and 19% of adults aged 16-65 scored below level 1 literacy.
TBI and POST-operative rehab
Visual Motor deficits, including unilateral or bilateral weakness, ataxia, spasticity, and loss of complex movement execution due to multiple possible etiologies, can occur during any brain tumor illness, as a postoperative side effect of neurosurgery, or injury.
dyslexia
Dyslexia is estimated to affect about 5-10% of the population.
vision rehab for veterans
Approximately one in three veterans referred to outpatient vision rehabilitation has detectable cognitive impairment.
DEMENTIA
According to WHO, around 50 million people worldwide have dementia, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases. Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.
SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE
According to CDC, the prevalence of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is 11.1%, or 1 in 9 adults. The prevalence of SCD among adults aged 65 years and older is 11.7% compared to 10.8% among adults 45-64 years of age. The prevalence of SCD is 11.3% among men compared to 10.6% among women.
When diagnosed, a variety of intervention techniques, such as adaptive training, can be used to help individuals with such deficits. Therefore, the availability of reliable, cost-effective, and smart systems and processes that can diagnose and report key neuropsychological parameters is essential.