Learning Disorders
Solutions for patients who struggle with traditional educational methods
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) estimates that between 8 and 10 percent of all children under 18 years of age live with one or more kinds of learning deficits.
What Are Learning Disorders
Learning disabilities are defined as neuro-processing disorders that impact use or understanding of language, speech, writing, computation, organizational skills, memory, abstract reasoning and concentration. These learning challenges oftentimes remain lifelong problems, affecting a child’s developmental capabilities and social interactions and an adult’s interpersonal relationships and functioning within the workplace.
Most recognized examples of such disabilities are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders, described elsewhere on this website, but they are not the only ones. Experts detail a variety of other learning challenges.
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Signs and Symptoms
Most recognized examples of such disabilities are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders, described elsewhere on this web site, but they are not the only ones. Experts detail a variety of other learning issues, including:
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Auditory processing disorder, the failure to process and interpret sound normally
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Dyslexia and dysgraphia. Dysgraphia affects spelling, composition and the fine motor skills required to write legibly. Dyslexia hinders reading, reading comprehension and language processing.
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Language-processing disorder
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Visual perceptual and visual motor deficit, which can result in eye-hand coordination problems and inability to recognize specific and subtle differences in letters and other shapes.
Standard Therapies
The most common form of treatment is special education, dependent upon diagnostic and educational assessment of a child’s learning and intellectual potential. Speech, language and psychological therapy, as well as medications, also may be included in a learning-disabled child’s plan of care.
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Case Studies
From age 3 on, Mikayla had followed an individualized education program, which included occupational and physical therapy. She struggled in elementary school, finding it difficult to concentrate and complete her work. Teachers complained she failed to pay attention, did not listen in school. She even seemed uncoordinated while walking, tripping over her own feet and bumping into things. Doctors checked Mikayla but found nothing unusual. Her central eyesight was evaluated as a normal 20/20 in each eye.
But all that changed for Mikayla – for the better – at age 12 when her mother’s friend suggested a visit to the Mind-Eye Institute. There, Mikayla underwent a battery of tests that determined she had such a narrow range of visual awareness, she could only see what was directly in front of her. She had problems using her peripheral eyesight, causing her brain to limit its focus. “She could either look up and listen to the teacher in school or write and take notes, but she couldn’t do both,” her mother said.
The Mind-Eye Institute prescribed a set of special, therapeutic “brain” glasses, designed for sensory integration and able to bring relief to patients like Mikayla for a range of symptoms caused by eye-ear imbalances, brain injuries and other neurological issues, including learning problems.
As her eyesight improved, Mikayla went through several different sets of “brain” glasses, while being transformed from a student criticized by teachers for lack of concentration and focus to an honor-roll student, early high-school graduate and, eventually, by age 19, a certified veterinarian technician and “happy, productive member of the community.”
At the Mind-Eye Institute
We are aware that learning disabilities are the result of processing deviations in different areas of the brain. Indeed, some of these learning issues arise from difficult-to-treat anatomical, neurochemical, heredity-based or other physical and physiological brain disorders. Sometimes, however, learning difficulties are simply the by-products of dysfunctional vision and auditory systems, and these dysfunctions can change and transform into new skills.
In fact, lack of synchronization between a person’s visual, auditory and motor systems can significantly impact chemical balance and nerve pathways in the brain. For that reason, patients diagnosed as “learning disabled” undergo thorough examination at the Mind-Eye Institute. Evaluation involves advanced neuro-optometric technology and testing techniques to measure visual performance and visual processing functions and determine imbalances. With this information, Institute experts consider how light passing through the retina can be manipulated to positively impact patient brain function, nervous systems and body chemistry.
By using prescriptive eyeglasses individually designed to alter the way light enters the eye, Deborah Zelinsky O.D. has helped many patients overcome learning and behavioral disorders. Some of these patients have later transferred out of special education programs for placement in regular classrooms and exhibited normal and, in occasional cases, gifted intellectual potential.
Specifically, our team offers patients prescriptive eyeglasses, contact lenses or other optometric interventions that selectively stimulate light dispersed on the retina, which is composed of brain tissue. Individualized lenses can:
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Maximize patients’ visual performance and visual processing capabilities and create a stable balance between auditory and visual localization.
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Improve patient perception of the surrounding environment in order to modify behavior and enhance communication skills.
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Help rebuild brain pathways or develop new pathways that enhance a patient’s ability to learn, understand and interact normally with others.
Getting In Touch With Us
To find out the next steps of registering as a patient or registering a child as a patient, please call the Mind•Eye Institute office at 847.501.2020 or you can fill out our online New Patient Inquiry Form on the right.
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TESTIMONIALS
Pablo A (Wisconsin)
"The glasses not only have helped me get better grades; they also have helped me grow up. I am a more confident person."
Clare M (Illinois)
"What takes place at the Mind-Eye Institute is truly remarkable."
Amanda B (New York)
"I feel like I am stepping back into my groove."
Kelly Z (Illinois)
"I am forever grateful to the Mind-Eye Institute."
Allyson M, MD (Texas)
"The glasses gave me back a part of my life."
The glasses gave me back a part of my life... Dr. Zelinsky pushes the limits of science. She takes what she knows about the brain and the eyes, analyzes each patient individually, theorizes which brain pathways are triggering the symptoms, puts all the information together and determines a plan for rehabilitation.
Danelle K (Wisconsin)
"I feel like [Mind-Eye] is making progress where other providers are not looking."
Murphy M (Illinois)
"Going to the Mind-Eye Institute has been the best decision I have ever made."
Dr. Zelinsky profoundly changed my life. I spent years with a light sensitivity that made me deeply, deeply ill. Going to the Mind-Eye Institute has been the best decision I have ever made.
Marie W (Illinois)
"I have been in pain for the past 20 years, but no longer."
Monica R (California)
"I am no longer agitated by artificial and fluorescent lighting."
Ricardo C (Illinois)
"I have not felt this good for such a long time. These glasses have done so much for me. I am feeling normal again."
Victoria B (Illinois)
"[My anxiety] seemed to have just fallen away. I began to feel more relaxed."
[My anxiety] seemed to have just fallen away. I began to feel more relaxed... I am now able to control my thoughts, to manage myself every day. The tension that used to build up in my head is gone.
Mary W (Minnesota)
"I am so grateful. The Mind-Eye Institute has given me my life back."
I started seeing things more clearly. There was a definition to [objects] not noticed before. Even colors appeared more vibrant, crisper... I am so grateful. The Mind-Eye Institute has given me my life back.
Kate F (Illinois)
"She is reading books all the time... a big change from a child who avoided reading."
Kate would come home from school tired and irritable. Now, she has a smile on her face at the end of the school day, with plenty energy left to hang out with friends or get involved in other activities. And she is reading books all the time. In the evening, she reads as long as she can before having to turn out the light. That is truly gratifying to me and a big change from a child who avoided reading.
Richard D (Illinois)
"It is possible to return to a more normal life - even after years of symptoms."
I finally finished an actual, physical book in a day. Before receiving the [Mind-Eye] glasses, the book would have taken me three or four months to read because of my concentration problems and fatigue... I want to tell other veterans that relief is out there, that it is possible to return to a more normal life – even after years of symptoms.
Darby M (Arizona)
"Doctor Z has saved my life multiple times."
Doctor Z has saved my life multiple times. She cured me of my post concussive symptoms. I rate the mind eye connection 5 stars and would recommend it to anyone.
Bill L (Illinois)
"The Mind-Eye Institute has made me realize that one’s life does not have to remain in the ‘new normal.'"
The Mind-Eye Institute has made me realize that one’s life does not have to remain in the ‘new normal.' I want to tell other Veterans that you are better than your symptoms. You have alternatives.
Betty C (Illinois)
"Had it not been for the Mind-Eye Institute and Dr. Zelinsky, I am not sure my daughters would have achieved what they already have in both their education and careers."
Had it not been for the Mind-Eye Institute and Dr. Zelinsky, I am not sure my daughters would have achieved what they already have in both their education and careers. My oldest daughter graduated from Harvard Business School and now has a successful career in business. My second daughter went on to become an ICU nurse.
Gisele K (Michigan)
"Great customer care and follow-up!"
Dr. Zelinsky is an amazing professional and has really helped me in my healing process after a traumatic brain injury. I high recommend her services. Great customer care and follow-up! I have felt great improvement and I am very thankful.
Jimmy G (Illinois)
"Thanks to the Mind-Eye Institute, I am able to succeed inside and outside the classroom."
Within two weeks after receiving my first pair of Mind-Eye glasses, I began noticing astounding changes. I began to read again. I could sit in front of a computer screen and complete hours-long essays. I could study for my exams in five-hour increments. Thanks to the Mind-Eye Institute, I am able to succeed inside and outside the classroom.
Alysa W (Illinois)
Dr Z was a game changer for us! We can’t thank you enough!
We love Dr Z and the staff at Mind Eye Connection! My daughter started seeing Dr Z in 2nd grade and was diagnosed with a learning disability and given an IEP. She is now in 8th grade, with a 4.0 GPA and no longer needs her IEP! Dr Z was a game changer for us! We can’t thank you enough!
Patrick R (California)
"If other doctors tell you you're 100% healthy when you know you're not, go see Dr. Zelinsky."
Dr. Zelinsky is a miracle-worker. If other doctors have no idea how to cure you, tell you you're 100% healthy when you know you're not, and/or look at you like your crazy, go see Dr. Zelinsky
Julia C
"The progress we are seeing with our kiddo is tremendous!"
The progress we are seeing with our kiddo now that he has started seeing Dr Zelinsky is tremendous!
Becky L (Illinois)
"Debbie Zelinsky saved my life."
Debbie Zelinsky saved my life. This is not hyperbole. If you or your child has always been slightly “off,” struggling with an invisible illness that others dismiss, don’t walk— run— to the Mind-Eye Institute.
Paul O (New Hampshire)
"Thank you for resolving my vision issues that I sustained as a result of my TBI."
Dr. Zelinsky, thank you for resolving my vision issues that I sustained as a result of my TBI. You confirmed my symptoms and gave me the confidence that I would heal. You predicted I'd be better in 6 months and you were right on, I continue to improve everyday thanks to you.
Kate M (Illinois)
"Amazing results!"
The Doctor is off the charts brilliant. When my kids were having challenges in reading and school work, she understands how the brain works and the connection of the visual connections like no other. Amazing results!
Vicki F (Illinois)
"Life changing improvement for my husband five years post brain injury."
Life changing improvement for my husband five years post acquired brain injury. Even the Mayo Clinic had told us there was nothing more they could do. Dr. Zelinsky is astounding in her ability to retrain the brain.
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'Dr. Zelinsky Is Renowned'
~ Norman Doidge, M.D. & Clark Elliott, Ph.D., Dr. Patrick Quaid and Patricia S. Lemer praise her accomplishments:
"Zelinsky fit Elliott with a series of eyeglasses designed to improve the perceptual damage that made his life so difficult... Getting fitted for Zelinsky's eyeglasses is like no eye appointment you've ever had... Now, Elliott says, he is almost entirely symptom-free, able to problem-solve, multi-task and find his way easily — all abilities he lost in the auto accident in 1999. When he put on his Phase VI glasses he felt something that he hadn't felt for years: "I felt normal."
Review: 'The Ghost in My Brain'
- The Chicago Tribune
"One brilliant Chicago-area optometrist I know, Deborah Zelinsky OD, FNORA, FCOVD, has developed a unique, patented, easy-to-administer evaluation called the Z-Bell Test. This test measures the efficiency of integration between visual processing and listening....A 2014 study at Vanderbilt University found that children with autism do not synchronize their seeing and hearing...I have watched Dr. Zelinsky administer this test to disbelieving colleagues, who were astounded by its accuracy and results...Over the past two decades, The Z-Bell Test has become internationally recognized by the scientific community.”
- Patricia S. Lemer, Licensed Profesional Counselor (LPC)
"I visited Dr. Zelinsky, and she showed me how she can use optical lenses to alter sensory filtering, by directing light to different retinal cells and brain circuits. This can influence activity in the brain and the hypothalamus to better regulate body chemistry, sensory integration, and even some auditory processing. [Dr. Zelinsky] works frequently with patients working with learning and cognitive disorders as well as TBIs."
- Norman Doidge, M.D.
"I was delighted to have Dr. Zelinsky personally contribute to the book. Her wealth of knowledge in the area of visual development and visual processing is widely known, not just through her contribution of eye-care to the author of “The Ghost in My Brain”, but also via her Mind-Eye Institute and the lectures and training their provide. Dr. Zelinsky is not just colleague and a friend, but also a valued member of the neuro-optometric community and an invaluable bridge to other allied professions treating brain injuries. Her contribution to the book is deeply appreciated."
- Dr. Patrick Quaid, MCOptom, FCOVD, PhD
Clinic Business Hours:
Monday 8AM–6:45PM
Tuesday 8AM–6:45PM
Wednesday 7:45AM–6:30PM
Thursday 8AM–6:45PM
Friday 8AM–6:45PM
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Contact Us:
info@mindeye.com
Northbrook Clinic Address
1414 Techny Rd,
Northbrook, IL 60062, USA
FAX
847.501.2021