Visual Perception Activities for Adults

Visual perception occurs when the brain interprets what the eyes see. Although our eyes see in whole images, these images are broken down into shape, texture, color and/or constituent parts. Adults with visual perception problems may not recognize facial expressions and may suffer from learning disabilities and organizational and social problems. Adults can improve their visual perception with memory, pattern recognition, depth and balance activities.

Memory

• Take two decks of playing cards and place them face down in rows and columns. Ask the client to turn over two cards. If they do not match, ask him to place the original two cards face down and turn over two more. Encourage him to continue turning over cards two at a time with the intent of making matches. You can also use cards or beads with color patterns only. Place the cards or beads in a specific pattern and then cover them up. Ask the client what the pattern is. These activities improve visual memory, increase short-term memory and improve the transition from short- to long-term memory.

Pattern Recognition

• Set a color and pattern puzzle in front of the client. Ask him to identify what (if any) patterns he sees in terms of colors, shapes and sizes. Ask him to identify all examples of one shape, even those that are at different angles and of different sizes. Encourage him to identify any repeating patterns in lines, blocks or diagonals. Go further and ask him to identify color variations. Pattern recognition activities force a person to break down whole pictures into their constituent parts. Identifying similarities and differences through pattern recognition boosts clients' reading and overall learning skills, helps them understand facial expressions and improve their social and problem solving skills.

Depth Perception

• Place objects all over the table. Place some close together and others far apart. Have the client identify which items are close to him and close to each other. Encourage him to estimate the distance between items and identify separate groups that are the same distance apart. Add items that are longer distances apart, extending the distance each time you work with him. These activities improve depth perception, which is used when walking, driving, understanding pictures and relating to people, especially with regard to personal space.

Balance

• Visual perception problems affect a person's balance, so physical activities will assist in strengthening your client's balance. Ask the client to reach for objects on both sides of him. Ask him to raise one knee and then the other for a few seconds each. Ask him to do the same with his legs straight out. Have him stand and sit, stand on his toes and bend at the waist. All of these activities should be done on a non-slip floor. Encourage your client to march in place and walk in a straight line on his own time.