Does my child need Vision Therapy?

Vision Therapy can help children with special needs! Most children with special needs experience problems with their vision that can impair their lives indefinitely if left untreated. If you are a parent, you know that nothing can prepare you for this unique journey. Your child may not be able to describe the symptoms of blurred vision, light sensitivity, double vision, or strain they feel and this leads to added stress and difficulty completing tasks.

Among this population, special needs can be broken into different categories and vision therapy can help with each.

Vision Therapy for Special Needs

  • Developmental — Down syndromeautismdyslexia, learning disability, and processing disorders
  • Behavioral/Emotional — ADHD, mental health, or oppositional defiant disorder
  • Physical — Muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, chronic asthma, epilepsy, and traumatic birth
  • Sensory Impaired — Visually impaired, hearing-impaired, sensory integration challenges

How will my child benefit from therapy?

With identification and resolution of underlying vision problems; your children will be given a greater chance to achieve what others thought was impossible. Starting treatment can facilitate increased learning performance, improvement in everyday tasks, and lessen the challenges you both face on a daily basis.

Children with Autism often have sensitivity to light, trouble maintaining eye contact, a tendency to look through or past objects, and more. Through vision therapy, we can help teach your child how to use their eyes and body to adjust and adapt to their surroundings.

Vision issues often receive less attention in special needs children and adults. People with special needs have the same range of vision issues as their peers. In special needs populations these vision problems occur at a much higher rate. Allowing your developmental optometrist to address vision issues alongside other specialists involved in their care will provide the best outcome.

For more information on vision therapy for special needs patients, please call us at (615)-791-5766.