Visual and spatial difficulties

Some children have trouble understanding visual and spatial information. This means they might find it hard to see how things fit together or remember where things are. They may also struggle with tasks like drawing, building with blocks, or finding their way around.

These are not common vision problems like nearsightedness, nor are they attention deficits. They are difficulties with how the brain processes what a person sees. This can affect the perception of distance, size, and shape, making motor coordination and spatial orientation difficult. These children often do well with words and memorization but have a hard time with things that require seeing and understanding space.

What is typical?

Understanding visual and spatial information is a skill that develops over time. Here’s what you might expect to see at different ages:

• By age 3: Children start to recognize shapes and can fit simple puzzles together.
• Between ages 4 and 5: Children can draw basic shapes and begin to understand how objects relate to each other in space.
• By age 6: Children can copy more complex shapes and follow simple maps or directions.
• Between ages 7 and 8: Children can build with blocks and understand simple diagrams.
• By age 9: Children can use maps and understand how to organize space, like arranging furniture in a room.
• Between ages 10 and 12: Pre-teens can visualize how things will look when they are moved or rotated.
• By age 13 and 14: Teens can understand and use more complex visual information, like graphs and charts.

It is expected that, as children get older, these skills will become more refined and automatic, without needing much conscious effort.

When should I be concerned?

There are several signs that show a child may be having difficulties with visual and spatial information. These signs can be different based on the child’s age.

• Trouble with puzzles or building: The child may have difficulty putting together puzzles or building with blocks.
• Problems with drawing or copying: The child may struggle to draw shapes or copy from the board at school.
• Difficulty with spatial tasks: The child may have trouble organizing their room or packing a bag.
• Issues with three-dimensional thinking: The child may find it hard to imagine how things look when moved or rotated.
• Memory problems: The child may forget where they left things or how to get to familiar places.
• Trouble with maps or diagrams: The child may have difficulty using maps or understanding diagrams.
• Coordination issues: The child may bump into things or have trouble with sports that require spatial awareness.

You should be concerned when these difficulties interfere with your child’s school performance, autonomy, or safety, and do not improve over time. Notice if the challenges impact their emotional well-being, causing frequent frustration, insecurity, or isolation.

What can I do to help?

As a caregiver, remaining patient and supportive of a child with these difficulties is key. Here are some things you can try:

1. Use visual aids.Help your child by using pictures, diagrams, and maps. When using them, explain step-by-step and allow your child to use rulers or highlighters to mark important information.
2. Practice spatial skills.Encourage your child to play with puzzles, building blocks, and drawing. These activities can help improve their spatial awareness.
3. Break tasks into steps.Help your child by breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This can make it easier for them to follow instructions.
4. Use clear directions.Give your child simple and clear directions. Use words and gestures to help them understand.
5. Encourage organization.Help your child organize their space and belongings. Use labels and color-coding to make it easier for them to find things.
6. Play memory games.Use games that involve remembering locations or patterns. These can help improve your child’s visual memory.
7. Talk with teachers.It is helpful to talk with teachers about adapting activities, allowing more time for visual tasks, and using support resources at school.
8. Be patient and supportive.Encourage your child and praise their efforts. Let them know it’s okay to ask for help when they need it. Small progress should be celebrated to help build confidence.

What kind of professional support can I seek out?

Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. The sooner support is sought, the greater the chances of developing skills and preventing the difficulty from negatively impacting your child’s academic performance and self-esteem.

Start by talking to your child’s teachers, pediatrician, or family doctor. They can guide you on the first steps and, if necessary, refer you to specialists. Mental health professionals can offer therapy for your child and guidance for you.

You can also find free support through the Unified Health System (SUS). Care often begins at your local Basic Health Unit (UBS). Other services include Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS i), specialty centers, and clinics at university hospitals.