Autism
Autism can affect every person in different ways. But some people with autism struggle to see clearly or even see at all, and many don’t even realize it. What causes this to happen? Is it treatable? And how can you best help someone who might have it? This guide will answer those questions and more.
What do ‘autism,’ ‘Asperger’s syndrome,’ and other related terms mean?
Autism is a serious developmental disability that can cause significant learning difficulties and problems with social interaction. Autism affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people.
A person is said to have an autistic spectrum condition or ASC if they have some but not all of these characteristics. The most common form of autism is known as ‘autistic disorder. However, should they may use another term to describe different aspects of autistic spectrum conditions in different countries?
Eye exams in autistic children
While it may seem odd that you would need to schedule an eye online doctor appointment for your autistic child. Many of these kids have specialized needs regarding their vision.
If they’re non-verbal, most will not be able to tell you how well they can see or what seems off about their sight. So routine checkups are important; if you suspect a problem with your child’s vision, mention it to your pediatrician so they can make a referral.
Peripheral and central vision coordination issues
According to Autism Speaks, two major vision issues in individuals with autism are having problems with peripheral and central vision coordination. Peripheral vision is how far you can see from your side or peripheral view.
Central vision is how well you can focus on an object without being blurry or distorted. According to Utah-based pediatric ophthalmologist Jennifer Allred, most adults have 20/20 central vision but only 20/200 peripheral vision.
When these two systems don’t work together in an individual who has autism. They may often miss things that are very apparent to those around them.
Common behavior among autistic children
Some autistic children may not have a strong interest in looking at things. Another common problem is that many autistic children cannot look at things for more than a few seconds or focus on one thing long enough to recognize it.
Also, some studies have shown that many autistic children dislike bright colors and loud noises. While it’s unclear why these behaviors occur, they can cause problems with vision and the development of sight skills.
Parents should try to help their child with such issues by consulting an eye doctor. Who can advise them on how best to address vision concerns. Many eye doctors also specialize in treating conditions related to autism.
Other advice for parents?
When your child has autism, every challenge they face is an opportunity to grow. This is true of eye health as well. Many children with autism have perfect vision, but some have ocular problems that may require glasses or surgery.
Early and regular visits to an eye care specialist can help diagnose any issues early on and ensure that they are correct early. If you’re concerned about your child’s vision, bring them in for an exam as soon as possible!
It’s worth checking out our top 12 tips for finding good eye doctors near you for more info on choosing a great pediatric optometrist for your child. Or contact us today or request an online medical store in Pakistan!
Treatment
Autism often affects communication, social interaction, and behavior in children. Visual deficits are less commonly found, but some evidence suggests that autistic children may experience a higher-than-average incidence of low vision or blindness.
However, these conditions can be successfully treated if diagnose early on. If your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It’s important to keep an eye on their vision so that you can act early if something goes wrong.
Make sure they receive regular visits from a pediatric optometrist to ensure nothing slips through the cracks over time. Also, if you’re concerned about your child’s vision or think they may be at risk of becoming legally blind. It’s important to visit your optometrist for an examination immediately.
Vision therapy
It’s unclear whether or not vision therapy can prevent vision-related issues in autistic kids such as eye strain, impaired peripheral vision. And problems with focusing but it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor.
Ask your optometrist about exercises you and your child can do together to improve their focus, especially when looking at distant objects. You can also ask if there are any special lenses (such as prism lenses) that might help relieve symptoms of autism or attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Keep in mind that research has yet to determine whether these treatments help. So don’t be discourage if your child’s doctor doesn’t recommend them; however, it never hurts to speak up!
