OPTOMETRIC THERAPY FOR AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDERS

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Imagine a toddler watching you look off toward the corner of the room; they do the same; then they check to make sure both of you are looking at the same thing. This is known as gaze monitoring. One of the earliest predictors of autism is an inability to do this. (Matt Ridly in The Agile Gene)

This early indicator is just the tip of an iceberg of disconnections seen in individuals with autistic spectrum disorders (Severe Autism, Pervasive Developmental Delay, Asperger's Syndrome, Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder). Particularly, autistic patients have sensory-motor, speech/ language, cognitive and social disconnection. Commonly, there is visual and tactile defensiveness and hypersensitivity.

Did you know that 70% of the sensory fibers in the nervous system going to the brain come from the retinas and the visual system. This creates a huge display of visual difficulty when impacted by autism disorders. So, how do these children display visual problems? Eye movement disorders and crossed eyes are common, as well as:

• lack of eye contact
• staring at spinning objects or lights
• fleeting peripheral glances
• side viewing
• difficulty attending visually
• use of visual information inefficiently
• problems coordinating central & peripheral vision

Basic eye evaluations will generally show a lack of problems with acuity, refractive disorders or pathology so consequently little might be recommended.

Specialized visual evaluations will survey a spectrum of visual efficiency and processing abilities to answer 4 specific questions.

1. Is he/ she connected?
2. How much?
3. Are lenses helpful?
4. At what level should vision therapy start?

Behavioral/ Developmental Optometric Therapy centers upon three areas (plus lenses, yoked prisms, vision therapy) depending upon the conclusions derived from the findings in the visual evaluations.

Mortimer Adler, author of How to Speak, How to Listen and How to Read a Book states man is both a solitary and a social being and that the purpose of language is to connect with our fellow human beings by reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Surely, we must use our visual and auditory systems to succeed at this but what about those children with autistic tendencies who do not? When the visual process is interrupted, there is an effect on motor, cognitive, speech and perpetual abilities.

Temple Grandin, renown autism spokesperson says, "Autism is a gift." Maybe so, but with a 275% increase in autism (last 10 years) and a 2000% increase in PDD and Asperger's (last 10 years) and with 55% of autistic children under the age of four, I am not so sure. Must we settle for this? Concerns for causes and cures are vital, but care for those afflicted must include treatment of the visual systems disorders.

Jonathan is one such individual. After a year of Optometric Therapy, his mother reported, that one day totally unsolicited, Jonathan thanked her for bringing him to vision therapy. When she asked him why, he replied, "I like it because my eyes work better and I can read better and now I can look at people in the eye."

His mother said, " So much of Jonathan's life has improved this year, and to our surprise, not just with reading and writing. Before therapy, Jonathan could not catch a ball, hit a golf ball, or throw a ball. Now, he does all these just for fun!"

Jonathan's mom had diligently perused many avenues for help. She is so grateful for what vision therapy did for her family. "Vision Therapy is by far the single best investment we could have ever made in our son's future."

"Do what you can, with what you have, were you are." (Theodore Roosevelt)

For well over two decades, Dr. Mark Roberts has helped children in difficulty. To enhance your world through vision therapy, visit www.drmarkroberts.com, call 336-460-0752 or email visdevmnm@aol.com