Vis-CAT: The Visual Cognition Assessment Tool

I had the pleasure of presenting to Speech Apraxia UK tonight on the role of visual processing in communication, learning, and development — and what an engaged, insightful audience it was.
What stood out most wasn’t just the attendance (from across the UK, Australia, and even Canada), but the depth of reflection and curiosity from speech and language therapists, educators, and parents. There was a clear shared recognition that we need to look beyond traditional models of “eyesight” and consider how children process and integrate visual information as part of communication.
Key themes that resonated:
• Visual processing is not just about seeing clearly; it’s about visual meaning
• Communication challenges (including speech apraxia) often sit within broader sensory integration frameworks
• Interdisciplinary collaboration between SLTs, OTs, vision specialists and educational psychologists is essential
• Many clinicians are seeking practical ways to incorporate visual-cognitive insights into everyday assessment and intervention
The feedback highlighted something important: there is both a gap and a growing demand for an accessible, evidence-based understanding of visual cognition in clinical practice.
I’m incredibly encouraged by the speech and language community to expand assessment frameworks and consider vision as a core component of communication. Thank you, Ruth Rowntree for inviting me to present.


https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ruth-rowntree-b47560396_amazing-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-cpd-session-activity-7454984729193426945-WNM1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABJRCnQBjJvF4QRRPoShfGxiPB_fzISRsJ4

Some things are worth the wait, and this was one of them.
After what felt like forever of schedules clashing, timelines shifting, and "let's push it to next month" moments, the Vis-CAT: The Visual Cognition Assessment Tool team finally sat down together for a long-overdue dinner.
No agenda. No slides. Just good food, genuine conversations, and the kind of laughter that reminds you why the people around you make all the hard work worth it.
It's easy to get caught up in the pace of what we're building, but evenings like Sunday are a quiet reminder that the team behind the work is the heart of it all.
Grateful for every single one of you.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/andhealth_we-love-to-see-our-alumni-companies-on-the-activity-7451781464981147648-UebF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABJRCnQBjJvF4QRRPoShfGxiPB_fzISRsJ4

We love to see our alumni companies on the small screen 📺 Carolyn Mee (CEO, Sound Scouts) and Christine Nearchou (Founder, Vis-CAT) sat down with Matt Lincoln, morning anchor and host of ‘Eye on… | ANDHealth We love to see our alumni companies on the small screen 📺 Carolyn Mee (CEO, Sound Scouts) and Christine Nearchou (Founder, Vis-CAT) sat down with Matt Lincoln, morning anchor and host of ‘Eye on Education’ for CBS12 in Palm Beach, Florida, to help raise awareness about auditory and visual pro...

Visual Closure
Struggling to recognise things when parts are missing?

🚚Can’t tell it’s a truck without wheels
🧩Difficulty completing puzzles
📖Trouble recognising incomplete words

In VISCAT, this is called visual closure ，a key visual processing skill.

With early assessment and training, it can improve.

Are visual and speech processing connected?

Our founder Christine will be presenting at the Childhood Apraxia of Speech CPD Event this April!

🗓 Date: 28 April
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM (GMT+10)
💻 Online Event
https://lnkd.in/g4svNdPC

This session explores how visual processing and speech development are deeply interconnected through the brain’s sensory integration system.

🔍 What you’ll learn:
-How speech relies on visual cues like facial expressions & gestures
-Why sensory integration develops over time
-The link between speech apraxia and motor planning challenges
-The critical role of attention in processing sensory input

Understanding the connection between vision and speech opens new pathways for supporting children’s development

For more information,visit the event page: [Childhood Apraxia of Speech CPD Event](https://lnkd.in/gsEya2VJ)

https://apacinsider.digital/winners/area-v1-pty-ltd-vis-cat/

Area V1 Pty. Ltd. (Vis-CAT®) (2026 Winner: Australian Enterprise Awards) - APAC Insider Area V1 Pty. Ltd. (Vis-CAT®) is one of the 2026 winners of Australian Enterprise Awards.

👁️ Signs of Visual Memory Difficulties

Do you notice these in a child?

• Struggles to remember what they’ve seen 👀
• Forgets what they just read 📖
• Finds reading or spelling challenging ✏️

These may be signs of visual memory challenges ,an important part of how children learn and process information.

At Vis-CAT, we help identify visual cognitive difficulties early through professional assessment, so children can get the right support to succeed.

✨ Early detection makes a difference!

Empowering women in STEM ！！

Our Founder, Christine Nearchou, attended the Women in STEM Networking Lunch at the University of Melbourne, connecting with inspiring students, academics, and industry professionals.

Great conversations and meaningful connections towards a more inclusive future in STEM. 💡

Meet the Team – Tony Nathan

Behind every reliable platform is strong technology leadership. Our Chief Technology Officer, Tony, brings more than 20 years of enterprise architecture experience from organisations including IBM, HP and Telstra.

He specialises in turning complex technology into practical systems that work in the real world. At Vis-CAT, Tony ensures the platform is secure, scalable and simple for schools and clinicians to use.

🌍👁️ World Optometry Day

Seeing clearly is only part of the story.
How children process and understand what they see also matters.

Today, we celebrate the vital role optometrists play in supporting children’s eye health, development, and learning.

At Vis-CAT, we’re committed to making visual cognition assessment more accessible, engaging, and equitable ,so more children can be identified early and supported in the ways they need.

Every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential.

Did you know that green is one of the most relaxing colours for the eyes? It’s often associated with calm, balance, and visual comfort—something we’re very passionate about at Vis-CAT®.

We’d love to hear from you—what colour feels most relaxing for your eyes? 👀

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 🍀✨

Did you know visual cognition is a major part of sensory processing? 👁️

It helps the brain filter, organise, and make sense of what we see ， especially in busy places like classrooms.

When this system struggles, children can feel overloaded quickly, which may affect attention, learning, and emotional regulation.

Supporting visual processing can make a big difference in how children learn and engage.