How I Got Started Helping Children

Barbara Yong
Learning Specialist

As a parent I understand what it’s like to watch your child struggle to learn and not know how to help, or who to go to for advice. My middle son Peter learned to read easily so I was surprised when in the 4th grade he started crying because he couldn’t remember what he read. It hurt so much to hear him start calling himself dumb.

Eventually it was discovered that he had trouble tracking his eyes across a page of print which led to him losing his place frequently and overlooking words. He also had trouble making both eyes work together so that the print would stay clear and single. Because he was putting so much energy into the basic mechanics of reading he could not really pay attention to the text. Thankfully these skills can be taught and his reading improved and comprehension was no longer an issue.

He also had trouble with bumping into things and being clumsy and uncoordinated. After spending time in another therapy working on body control, spatial awareness, rhythm, and fine motor skills he blossomed into a child who enjoyed trying new things that he formerly avoided. I will never forget the first time he climbed to the top of a very tall slide. He was smiling with so much confidence, pride and happiness that I cried tears of joy for him and the new freedom he was feeling. That little struggling boy now has a Ph.D. in Philosophy.

I decided to start working in this field because I wanted to help other children just like others helped mine. As a learning specialist I have combined the best parts of the different therapies that helped my son plus my training in child development, my years as a preschool teacher, parent education leader, homeschool mom and over 10 years as a certified vision therapist. I have helped many children develop these skills using fun individualized activities so that learning becomes easier.

It is so rewarding to see the children develop into confident learners who are ready to take on the challenges of school. Call me so we can start your child on the road to success.

My Education and Training

• Bachelors of Arts in Child Development, 1974
• Certified Vision Therapist, 2005
• Ongoing Training through Conferences and Workshops, since 2005
• The 2012 Lora McGraw Award for outstanding commitment and contribution to developmental optometry.

My Experience and Talents

• Over 5 years Teaching as both Parent Education Teacher & Pre-School Teacher
• Parent with children who received vision therapy
• Parent who provided Homeschooling to my own children
• Over 10 years of Practice as a Vision Therapist
• Experience in administering visual perceptual assessments