NCJ Number
111913
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Excerpts from three television news programs highlight the vision therapy program for juvenile offenders implemented in California's San Bernadino County by Dr. Stanley Casino, an optometrist who believes a direct link exists between visual perception problems, learning disabilities, and delinquency.
Abstract
According to Dr. Casino, eye exams of juveniles in San Bernadino's detention center revealed that 90 percent had problems with muscles that control eye movement, although they passed a simple vision test. Such visual perception problems inhibit reading comprehension, problemsolving, and body-eye coordination, and ultimately result in frustration with school. Dr. Casino persuaded San Bernadino to fund his visual therapy program for juvenile offenders. In 5 years, 350 teenagers have completed the regime of therapy twice a week for 12 weeks. Dr. Casino claims that only 10 percent of this group have recidivated, compared to the county's overall rate of 60 percent. Critics question Casino's evaluation methods and attribute the lower recidivism to individual attention given delinquents, rather than vision therapy. Criminal justice professionals in San Bernadino, however, endorse the program as one low cost, effective approach to helping juveniles. Excerpts from the three television spots include interviews with Dr. Casino, his critics, teens who have completed the program, and supporters in San Bernadino. Exercises and equipment used to train eye muscles in the program are explained. Several other States and Canada are planning to start similar programs.