Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders that are typically characterized by patterns of behavior and socially awkward interactions. Children can become symptomatic as early as the first 6 to 12 months. However, because symptoms can be delayed diagnosis is sometimes difficult and is not always possible until the child is older.
Autism and Vision
Children with ASD will often have changes in visual processing which manifest as vision problems. Often the spatial process becomes affected resulting in isolation on details and fixation on repetitive visual behaviors. This can be an overwhelming sensory experience causing anxiety and irritation during daily life.
Common Visual Symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Losing focus
- Pulling object close when looking at them (bringing a screen to their nose or standing close to the TV)
- Covering an eye if the is difficulty with alignment
- Poor posture causing leaning to the side or even placing their head on the table or arm when reading or writing
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
- Attention or concentration difficulties
- Staring behavior (infrequent blinking)
- Spatial disorientation
- Visual memory problems
- Pulling away from objects when they are brought close
- Difficulty tolerating busy/crowded environments
Autism Affecting Vision and Coordination
Balance and posture can also become affected due to interruption in organizing the spatial process. Often children with ASD will begin to shift their weight forward, placing weight on to their toes when walking (toe-walking). This can impact balance and stability while moving and result in trips/falls or serious injury. Some children with ASD will begin to run instead of walk due to the weight shift forward in order to maintain their balance. This can be due to a Visual Midline Shift Syndrome (VMSS) in which the spatial visual process mismatches information with the balance centers causing this behavior.
Neuro-Visual Processing Rehabilitation
At the Padula Institute of Vision Rehabilitation, children with ASD are carefully evaluated for an imbalance in visual processing. This is done through a neuro-visual evaluation which is very different from a routine eye exam. Its purpose is to provide an in-depth analysis of the relationship between the spatial visual process and the neuro-motor system using a variety of tests.
Treatment of visual processing symptoms often comes in the form of yoked-prism glasses which are usually prescribed for therapeutic use and should only be used under the direction of the prescribing doctor. These prisms may also be recommend for use during physical or occupational therapy. Another therapeutic aid that can be employed is bi-nasal occlusion. This involves placing two strips of opaque tape vertically on the part of each lens that is closest to the nose which serves to provide a vertical boundary in the visual environment and can anchor a dysfunctional vision process. We also provide Neuro-Visual Postural Therapy ™ (NVPT) when necessary and appropriate.
For many, dysfunction of the visual process can be a primary cause of the symptoms many experience. Treatment through neuro-optometric rehabilitation becomes an interdisciplinary approach that can maximize potentials in other therapies such as physical, occupation, speech, and cognitive therapies. Collaboration is often the key to successful rehabilitation.
The Padula Institute of Vision Rehabilitation
provides a patient-centered approach to evaluate each person’s individual imbalance in visual processing and will provide an individual direction for rehabilitation based on each person’s needs and abilities.
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