🎧Learning and reading difficulties in children: is this the missing link?

What if some children diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia are in fact struggling with visual strain? Academic, optometrist & sports vision specialist Prof. Jannie Ferreira highlights the effect of 21st century living on sensory development and integration, physical literacy, the visual system and brain development. He explains how eye strain - related to screen time and particularly left-eye dominance - can contribute to learning and reading problems. He discusses his new book which offers crucial insights and practical advice to prevent or address these fall-outs. A must-listen for parents. Sponsored content.

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In ep. 252 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear & Helpful, prof. Jannie Ferreira - optometrist in private practice researching children with learning & reading problems, sports vision specialist, and former Head of the Department of Optometry at the University of Johannesburg - considers

• his reason for writing Learning & Reading Frustrations: A Message of Hope (2026)

• his view that learning and reading challenges point not to “abnormal” children, but normal children with abnormal behaviour

• the importance of uncovering the root cause/s of learning and reading frustrations

• what Jannie noticed while working with top athletes regarding the dominance factor

• his view of Oppositional Disorder, mostly called Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

• the meteoric rise in diagnoses such as ADHD and dyslexia, primarily caused by the lifestyle changes characterising the 21st century

• whether ADHD is a social construct

• Jannie’s view of the diagnosis (and self-diagnosis) of ADHD

• sensory integration, physical literacy, visioLearning & Reading Frustrationsn and brain development

• visual stress and loss of distance vision

• the dominance factor and a system which is under strain

• why reading from left to right is problematic for a dominant left eye under stress

• cross dominance and the problems this may create

• Jannie’s special interest in the local farming community

• how to prevent learning and reading frustrations, and how to address existing problems

• whether babies should spend time on devices like cell phones

• “best practice” for children between one and four

• near-point glasses, always considering the cause of the problem first.
  Scroll down for more information on Jannie and his book.

Jannie’s intended webinar for optometrists: inquire by sending Jannie an email to jannieferreira466@gmail.co.za

Learning & Reading Frustrations is available at https://www.jannieferreirabooks.co.za/products - the paperback as well as the Kindle edition can also be found on Amazon.

Lees & Leer Frustrasies is hier te koop: www.jannieferreirabooks.co.za/products‍ of as e-boek op Amazon.

About Prof. Jannie

Prof. Jannie Ferreira is a South African academic and sports vision specialist associated with the University of Johannesburg from which he retired in 2013. He published more than 150 scientific papers, presented on numerous conferences all over the world and supervised dozens of postgraduate students. He is still in private practice and focuses on sports vision, coaching science, and - notably - learning and reading difficulties in children. He has received world-wide recognition for his work on the role of the dominance factor in learning and reading.

Prof. Jannie, who attained a PhD in Physiology and a Post Graduate Teacher’s Diploma before obtaining his B Optom, has been involved in sport at the highest level of coaching.

He has received numerous national and international awards, including the United Nations Public Service Award in the ‘Improving Service Delivery’ for initiating the Phelophepa Eye Care Train. 

Website: https://www.jannieferreirabooks.co.za/

Email: jannieferreira466@gmail.co.za

Podcast music by Mart-Marie Snyman.

Thumbnail image: Unsplash. Model used.

Photograph of Prof. Jannie Ferreira: supplied