501cTV sits down with Sue Mann, the founder of Bright Minds Processing, shifted from a career as a police officer in San Francisco to establishing a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children with undiagnosed learning disabilities. After moving from Ireland and witnessing her children’s academic difficulties, she learned that her daughter’s struggles were linked to a vision problem affecting her learning. Founded in 2020, Bright Minds Processing aims to raise awareness about the often-overlooked connection between auditory and visual processing issues in children, collaborating with audiologist Dr. Leah Light to promote this mission.

The narrative highlights a parent’s journey of discovering that their children’s learning challenges stemmed from brain-related issues rather than typical vision or hearing problems, often misidentified by schools as ADHD, ADD, or dyslexia. Seeking help for their children’s attention and task completion difficulties led to significant improvements through therapy with Dr. Keiji Yama. The text emphasizes the common struggles faced by children with visual and auditory processing disorders, noting how these conditions can affect reading fluency and overall academic performance.

Parents often find it challenging to recognize processing disorders in their children, especially when there are no apparent vision or hearing impairments. Indicators such as aversion to reading and difficulties with comprehension can signal potential processing issues, which can adversely impact grades and even sports performance. The author stresses the importance of identifying undiagnosed learning disabilities early, as untreated issues can lead to stigma, low self-esteem, and behavioral problems that might result in school dropout or involvement with the criminal justice system.

To address these concerns, Mann and Dr. Light launched a program for early intervention in 2020, advocating for assessments of learning disabilities among truant students. They call for greater awareness and education on these issues, emphasizing that many disorders remain unrecognized, leading to lifelong challenges. The speaker also reflects on their personal experiences with their children overcoming academic hurdles after receiving auditory and vision therapy, advocating for better support systems within schools.

In conclusion, the text discusses an upcoming literacy roundtable event aimed at addressing low reading levels among third graders and highlights the collaborative efforts of various organizations to implement effective interventions for students with learning disabilities.