The meeting began with a review of the Network's mission and its efforts to reach more families and individuals with a dual diagnoses of autism and deafness or hard of hearing and/or blindness and visual impairments. The attendees included special educators and parents.  

 

Dr. Kauser Sharieff

We were fortunate to have Kauser Sharieff, OD FCOVD FNORA speak to our group. Dr. Sharieff is a neuro-developmental optometrist from Yorba Linda, California; and she presented on the need to assess visual skills that are often overlooked when persons with autism have additional sensory and behavioral issues. Learn More.

Dr. Sharieff raised concerns about visual perceptual deficits common to most, or all, persons on the autism spectrum. A person on the spectrum may have 20/20 vision or does not need prescription glasses; however, they may have sensory limitations regarding hearing and/or seeing. For example, vision helps us gain maximum understanding of our surroundings and integrates many of our senses and motor systems. In addition, visual functioning is commonly overlooked because we often focus on educational tasks, such as visual memory/ repetition, mimicry (imitation), picture-based and not spatial, and an over-reliance on content and not concept learning and creative thought.

 

What you "see" as the problem may be "solutions" to the problem! For example, visual anchors, such as keeping some things the same, can help reduce frustration, stress, and anxiety. Some examples include wearing the same clothes, taking the same routes, engaging in the same rituals, and visiting the same places. These routines may help the individual stay calm and relaxed.

 

Other vision-related behaviors:  

• Squints or closes an eye  
• Rubs eyes frequently  
• Short attention span or stares at objects  
• Flaps hands, flicks objects in front of eyes  
• Looks at objects sideways or with quick glances  
• Shows sensitivity to light (photophobia) 
• Fearful of changes in flooring or on stairs  
• Bumps into objects  
• Fascinated with shadows and shiny objects  

Finally, Dr. Sharieff reviewed various measures to assess vision and development with an emphasis on visual delays, visual stress and visual avoidance. After an evaluation, programs involving sensory learning and visual training can the individual develop appropriate perceptual skills. Vision therapy, such as those using yoked prism lenses, is a powerful treatment modality; but maximum benefit can only be achieved if the program incorporates a comprehensive treatment plan. More details of some of these activities will be described in future e-newsletters.